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HomeIntroductionLaws of glenohumeral stabilityThe net humeral joint reaction forceThe balance stability angle and the stability ratiThe effective glenoid arcGlenoid versionAbout the versionScapular positioningGlenoid versionLigamentsStability at restAdhesion/cohesionThe glenohumeral suction cupLimited joint volumeSuperior stability: The same plus a unique additio

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Mechanics of Glenohumeral Instability.

Last updated Friday, February 04, 2005

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Figure 22
Figure 22

Figure 23
Figure 23

Figure 24
Figure 24

Figure 25
Figure 25

Glenoid version

About the version

Glenoid version is the angle that the glenoid center line makes with the plane of the scapula (see figure 22). The glenoid center line usually points a few degrees posterior to the plane of the scapula (see figure 22). Changing the version of the glenoid articular surface imposes a corresponding change in the humeroscapular positions in which the net humeral joint reaction force will be contained by the effective glenoid arc. Glenoid version may be altered by glenoid dysplasia (see figure 23) (Wirth et al, 1993), fractures, glenoid osteotomy, (Wirth et al, 1994) and glenoid arthroplasty. Abnormal glenoid version positions the glenoid fossa in an abnormal relationship to the forces generated by the scapulohumeral muscles. Normalizing abnormal glenoid version is often a critical step in glenohumeral reconstruction.

Apparent changes in glenoid version can arise from loss of part of the glenoid rim (see figures 24 and 25). (Breweret al, 1986; Hurley et al, 1992; Randelli and Gambrioli, 1986) Dias et al found no difference in apparent glenoid version between normal subjects and recurrent anterior dislocators. (Dias et al, 1993) Dowdy and O'Driscoll (Dowdy and O'Driscoll, 1994) found only minor variances of radiographic glenoid version among patients with and without recurrence following stabilization surgery. However, Hirschfelder and Kirsten (Hirschfelder and Kirsten, 1991) found increased glenoid retroversion in both the symptomatic and unsymptomatic shoulders of individuals with posterior instability; Grasshoff et al (Grasshoff et al, 1991) found increased anteversion in shoulders with recurrent anterior instability.

Changes in version may be difficult to quantitate on axillary radiographs unless the view is carefully standardized. Even with optimal radiographic technique, the important contributions of the cartilage and labrum to the depth and orientation of the fossa (Howell and Galinat, 1989; Soslowsky et al, 1992) cannot be seen on plain radiographs or CT scans. When it is important to know the orientation of the cartilaginous joint surface in relation to the scapular body a double contrast CT scan is necessary.


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