Can an extracorporeal glenoid aiming device be used to optimize the position of the glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty?

PURPOSE: Successful total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) requires a correct position of the glenoid component. This study compares the accuracy of the positioning with a new developed glenoid aiming device and virtual three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) scan positioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On 39 scapulas from cadavers, a K-wire (KDev) was positioned using the glenoid aiming device. It consists of glenoid components connected to the aiming device, which cover 150° of the inferior glenoid circle, has a fixed version and inclination and is available with several different radii. The aiming device is stabilized at the most medial scapular point. The K-wire is drilled from the center of the glenoid component to this most medial point. All scapulas were also scanned with CT and 3D reconstructed. A virtual K-wire (Kct) was positioned in the center of the glenoid and in the scapular plane. Several parameters were compared. Radius of the chosen glenoid component (rDev) and the virtual radius of the glenoid circle (rCT), spinal scapular length with the device (SSLdev) and virtual (SSLct), version and inclination between KDev and Kct, difference between entry point and exit point ("Matsen"-point). RESULTS: Mean rDev: 14 mm ± 1.7 mm and mean rCT: 13.5 mm ± 1.6 mm. There was no significant difference between SSLdev (110.6 mm ± 7.5 mm) and SSLct (108 mm ± 7.5 mm). The version of KDev and Kct was -2.53° and -2.17° and the inclination 111.29° and 111.66°, respectively. The distance between the "Matsen-point" device and CT was 1.8 mm. CONCLUSION: This glenoid aiming device can position the K-wire on the glenoid with great accuracy and can, therefore, be helpful to position the glenoid component in TSA. The level of evidence: II.

Determination of a reference system for the three-dimensional study of the glenohumeral relationship.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of the normal and pathological three-dimensional glenohumeral relationship is imperative when planning and performing a total shoulder arthroplasty. There is, however, no consensus on which references should be used when studying this relationship. The purpose of the present study was to define the most suitable glenoid plane with normally distributed parameters, narrowest variability, and best reproducibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstruction CT scans were performed on 152 healthy shoulders. Four glenoid planes, each determined by three surgically accessible bony reference points, were determined. Two planes were triangular, with the same base defined by the most anterior and posterior point of the glenoid. The most inferior and the most superior point of the glenoid, respectively, define the top of Saller's inferior plane and the Saller's superior plane. The two other planes are formed by best-fitting circles. The circular max plane is defined by the superior tubercle, and two points at the distal third of the glenoid. The circular inferior plane is defined by three points at the rim of the inferior quadrants of the glenoid. RESULTS: The parameters of all four planes behave normally. The humeral center of rotation is identically positioned for both the circular max and circular inferior plane (X = 91.71°/X = 91.66° p = 0.907 and Y = 90.83°/Y = 91.7° p = 0.054, respectively) and different for the Saller's inferior and Saller's superior plane (p ≤ 0.001). The circular inferior plane has the lowest variability to the coronal scapular plane (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides arguments to use the circular inferior glenoid plane as preferred reference plane of the glenoid.

Operative guidelines for the reconstruction of the native glenoid plane: an anatomic three-dimensional computed tomography-scan reconstruction study.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the native plane in biconcave eroded glenoids is difficult. Nevertheless, accurate reconstruction of this plane is imperative for successful total shoulder arthroplasty. This study aims to determine guidelines that can increase the accuracy of glenoid component positioning. METHODS: Three different circular planes were determined on 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans of 152 healthy shoulders. First, the circular max (CM) plane is formed with the superior tubercle and 2 points, 1 anterior and 1 posterior, at the rim of the inferior third of the glenoid. Second, the circular inferior (CI) plane is formed by 3 points at the inferior 2 quadrants of the glenoid rim. Third, the circular minima (Cm) plane is formed with 3 points situated at the noneroded sector of the anterior glenoid. The angulation of the spinal scapular axis (SSA), the line between the most medial point of the scapular spine and the center of the three different glenoid planes, and the correlation coefficient between the radius of the circle and the length of SSA are calculated. RESULTS: Angle SSA in the x-axis were 94°, 93°, 93° and in the y-axis were 95°, 111°, and 111° for CM, CI, and Cm, respectively. Correlation coefficient between the radius of the circle and the length of SSA: r = 0.69 for CM, r = 0.75 for CI, and r = 0.75 for Cm. CONCLUSION: Three points situated at the native anterior glenoid can reconstruct, within 2° accuracy (95% confidence interval, 1.8°-2.3°), the CI plane. A relationship exists between the radii of the 3 glenoid circles and the width of the scapula (SSA length).

A 3D-CT scan study of the humeral and glenoid planes in 150 normal shoulders.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the normal three-dimensional relationship between the humeral and the glenoid plane of the individual patient. We measured the three-dimensional angle between the glenoid plane and the humeral plane (glenohumeral angle, °GH) and the angle between the plane of the scapula and the plane of the glenoid (glenoscapular angle, °GS) with the patient in a standardized position to the CT scan gantry. We hypothesized that a normal distribution with a small variation would exist for both angles. METHODS: A total of 150 conventional CT scans of normal shoulders from patients aged between 18 and 80 years were examined and three-dimensional reconstructions were derived from it. The descriptive statistics and the variability of °GH and °GS were determined. RESULTS: The mean °GH was 57.9°, and the mean °GS was -3.77°. The overall reliability of the measurement was good. Descriptive statistics of this study confirm the normal distribution and a narrow variation of both parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to determine the normal 3D relationship between the humerus and the glenoid (°GH). This new three-dimensional anatomical information of the normal glenohumeral relationship and glenoid can be used to distinguish normal from pathological anatomy, as well as alternative surgical guidance especially in bony deficient glenoids. Level of Evidence Level II Anatomical Study.