Articular Geometry of the Glenohumeral Joint

Abstract

Little quantitative data exists defining the true shape of the humeral head and glenoid articular surfaces. This study uses a precise stereophotogrammetry (SPG) technique and provides highly accurate quantitative results for determining the three-dimensional geometry of glenohumeral joint articular surfaces, including their "sphericity", surface areas, cartilage thickness, and the difference in these quantities between the genders. Results indicate that glenohumeral joint surfaces may be approximated by a section of a sphere with small deviations from sphericity of less than 1% of the radius. Furthermore, results indicate that mating humeral head and glenoid articular surfaces are quite congruent and have radii within 2 mm in 88% of cases, and within 3 mm in all cases measured. The lack of anatomic stability of this joint is therefore not attributable to the relative shallowness or lack of congruence of the joint but rather to the small surface area of the glenoid which does not enclose the humeral head. Cartilage thickness results may partially explain perceptions of glenohumeral incongruity obtained from roentgenographic measurements where the glenoid appears flatter than the corresponding humeral head. Only when the actual articular cartilage surfaces are analyzed is it determined that the actual articulating surfaces do conform.