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Anatomy of the Superior Glenoid Rim

Repair of Superior Labral Anterior to Posterior Tears

Janne T. Lehtinen, MD^*, Markus J. Tingart, MD, Maria Apreleva, PhD^,, Jonathan B. Ticker, MD and Jon J. P. Warner, MD^*

Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, ^* Harvard Shoulder Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, Island Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Massapequa, New York

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Maria Apreleva, PhD, Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, RN 115, Boston, MA 02215

Background: Successful placement of a fixation device on the superior glenoid rim during superior labrum repairs requires accurate knowledge of the glenoid rim anatomy.

Purpose: To investigate the normal bony anatomy of the superior glenoid rim.

Study Design: Descriptive anatomic study.

Methods: Twenty cadaveric glenoid specimens were scanned to obtain cross-sectional images with peripheral quantitative computed tomography in three different positions, each perpendicular to the articular surface. Two straight lines were drawn along the interior bony margins of the articular surface and cortex, and image analysis software was used to calculate the angle between these lines. Three bony angles were measured.

Results: The bony angles from the 10:30-, 12-, and 1:30-o’clock cross-sections were 55° ± 5°, 64° ± 5°, and 62° ± 8°, respectively. The posterosuperior angle (at the 10:30-o’clock position) was statistically significantly lower than the superior and anterosuperior angles. Intraobserver variation was less than 3%.

Conclusions: The most superior point of the glenoid rim (12-o’clock position) seems to provide the most bone stock for anchor insertion. The available bone support was found to decrease posteriorly on the glenoid rim.

Clinical Relevance: During superior labral repairs, the anchor or fixation device should be inserted at approximately a 30° angle in relation to the articular surface for maximal bone support.