Samy Bouaicha1, Roman Peter Kuster2, Bruno Schmid2, Daniel Baumgartner2, Matthias Zumstein3, Beat Kaspar Moor3. 1. Department of Orthopedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: samy.bouaicha@balgrist.ch. 2. Institute of Mechanical Systems, School of Engineering, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland. 3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, University of Berne, Insel Hospital, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Critical Shoulder Angle was introduced as a combined radiographic surrogate parameter reflecting the influence of the morphological characteristics of the scapula on the development of degenerative shoulder disease such as rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis. Although, glenoid inclination and lateral extension of the acromion were studied in biomechanical models separately, no investigation included all three individual parameters that determine the Critical Shoulder Angle: glenoid inclination, acromial coverage and acromial height in one cadaveric study protocol. METHODS: Three proximal humerus cadavers were attached to a robotic shoulder simulator which allowed for independent change of either lateral acromial coverage, glenoid inclination or acromial height. Combined dynamic scapula-thoracic and glenohumeral abduction up to 60° with different Critical Shoulder Angle configurations was performed and muscle forces as well as joint reaction forces were recorded. FINDINGS: All three components had an effect on either muscle forces and or joint reaction forces. While glenoid inclination showed the highest impact on joint stability with increasing upward-tilting causing cranial subluxation, changing of the lateral acromial coverage or acromial height had less influence on stability but showed significant alteration of joint reaction forces. INTERPRETATION: All three components of the Critical Shoulder Angle, glenoid inclination, lateral acromial extension and acromial height showed independent biomechanical effects when changed isolated. However, glenoid inclination seems to have the largest impact regarding joint stability.
BACKGROUND: The Critical Shoulder Angle was introduced as a combined radiographic surrogate parameter reflecting the influence of the morphological characteristics of the scapula on the development of degenerative shoulder disease such as rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis. Although, glenoid inclination and lateral extension of the acromion were studied in biomechanical models separately, no investigation included all three individual parameters that determine the Critical Shoulder Angle: glenoid inclination, acromial coverage and acromial height in one cadaveric study protocol. METHODS: Three proximal humerus cadavers were attached to a robotic shoulder simulator which allowed for independent change of either lateral acromial coverage, glenoid inclination or acromial height. Combined dynamic scapula-thoracic and glenohumeral abduction up to 60° with different Critical Shoulder Angle configurations was performed and muscle forces as well as joint reaction forces were recorded. FINDINGS: All three components had an effect on either muscle forces and or joint reaction forces. While glenoid inclination showed the highest impact on joint stability with increasing upward-tilting causing cranial subluxation, changing of the lateral acromial coverage or acromial height had less influence on stability but showed significant alteration of joint reaction forces. INTERPRETATION: All three components of the Critical Shoulder Angle, glenoid inclination, lateral acromial extension and acromial height showed independent biomechanical effects when changed isolated. However, glenoid inclination seems to have the largest impact regarding joint stability.