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Characterization of the Walch B3 Glenoid in Primary Osteoarthritis

Chan, Athwal·J Shoulder Elbow Surg·2017·65 citations·Shoulder & Elbow
DOI·PubMed
SummaryAbstract on PubMed →

This 3D CT study characterizes the Walch B3 glenoid, a recent addition to the Walch classification for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The B3 is theorized to be end-stage progression of the biconcave B2, in which posterior wear consumes the entire paleoglenoid to leave a single uniconcave surface. The authors measured retroversion, inclination, medialization, and posterior subluxation in 52 patients to define the deformity.

Study Snapshot

Design
Retrospective 3D CT study
Setting: 2 institutions (shoulder arthroplasty databases)
Funding: Industry consultants disclosed
Objective
Whether the Walch B3 glenoid can be morphologically characterized by 3D CT in primary osteoarthritis
Outcome(s)
Glenoid retroversion, inclination, medialization, and posterior humeral head subluxation
Subjects
52 patients with B3 glenoids
Inclusion
  • B3 glenoid morphology
  • Primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis
  • CT including entire scapula
Exclusion
  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Post-traumatic arthritis
Statistics
Student t-testBonferroni correctionLinear regression

Key Findings

  • The B3 glenoid is severely retroverted, averaging 24° ± 7°, with 8° ± 6° of superior inclination and 14 ± 4 mm of medialization. This is pathologic retroversion, well beyond the 10° threshold where glenoid component micromotion and loosening risk climb.
  • Reference plane completely changes the subluxation number: posterior humeral head subluxation was 80% ± 8% against the scapular plane but only 54% ± 6% against the glenoid plane. The glenoid-plane value falsely suggests a centered joint.
  • The 54% glenoid-plane figure reflects acquired concentricity. The head has eroded its own retroverted socket, so it sits centered in the neoglenoid while remaining grossly displaced relative to the fixed scapula.
  • Retroversion and subluxation move together against the scapular plane: every 1° increase in retroversion added 1% more posterior subluxation (P < .001). Against the glenoid plane there was no correlation (P = .409), confirming the head tracks with the erosion.
  • B3 morphology did not differ by sex or age (all P > .05), so the same severe deformity should be expected across demographic groups.
  • Diagnostic criteria for B3 are >15° retroversion, uniconcave shape, or ≥70% posterior subluxation in an osteoarthritic shoulder, distinguishing it from the biconcave B2 with a persistent paleoglenoid.
Board PearlThe B3 glenoid's apparent humeral head concentricity is an acquired artifact of posterior erosion that hides severe subluxation measured against the scapular plane.

Clinical Relevance

When you look at a B3 glenoid on axial CT and the humeral head appears centered, do not be reassured. That concentricity is acquired: the head has carved out its own retroverted socket, so it looks reduced against the glenoid but is actually 80% posteriorly subluxated against the scapula.

Measure version and subluxation against the scapular plane, which is independent of the erosion and reflects true glenohumeral alignment. This matters at the time of arthroplasty. Retroversion above 10° increases cement-interface micromotion, 15° produces eccentric loading, and severely retroverted glenoids risk peg perforation with asymmetric reaming.

A mean 24° of retroversion often exceeds what simple corrective reaming can safely fix, so a B3 should trigger 3D planning and consideration of augmented components or bone grafting rather than a standard anatomic glenoid.

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|

Characterization of the Walch B3 Glenoid in Primary Osteoarthritis

Chan, Athwal·J Shoulder Elbow Surg·2017·65 citations·Shoulder & Elbow
DOI·PubMed
SummaryAbstract on PubMed →

This 3D CT study characterizes the Walch B3 glenoid, a recent addition to the Walch classification for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The B3 is theorized to be end-stage progression of the biconcave B2, in which posterior wear consumes the entire paleoglenoid to leave a single uniconcave surface. The authors measured retroversion, inclination, medialization, and posterior subluxation in 52 patients to define the deformity.

Study Snapshot

Design
Retrospective 3D CT study
Setting: 2 institutions (shoulder arthroplasty databases)
Funding: Industry consultants disclosed
Objective
Whether the Walch B3 glenoid can be morphologically characterized by 3D CT in primary osteoarthritis
Outcome(s)
Glenoid retroversion, inclination, medialization, and posterior humeral head subluxation
Subjects
52 patients with B3 glenoids
Inclusion
  • B3 glenoid morphology
  • Primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis
  • CT including entire scapula
Exclusion
  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Post-traumatic arthritis
Statistics
Student t-testBonferroni correctionLinear regression

Key Findings

  • The B3 glenoid is severely retroverted, averaging 24° ± 7°, with 8° ± 6° of superior inclination and 14 ± 4 mm of medialization. This is pathologic retroversion, well beyond the 10° threshold where glenoid component micromotion and loosening risk climb.
  • Reference plane completely changes the subluxation number: posterior humeral head subluxation was 80% ± 8% against the scapular plane but only 54% ± 6% against the glenoid plane. The glenoid-plane value falsely suggests a centered joint.
  • The 54% glenoid-plane figure reflects acquired concentricity. The head has eroded its own retroverted socket, so it sits centered in the neoglenoid while remaining grossly displaced relative to the fixed scapula.
  • Retroversion and subluxation move together against the scapular plane: every 1° increase in retroversion added 1% more posterior subluxation (P < .001). Against the glenoid plane there was no correlation (P = .409), confirming the head tracks with the erosion.
  • B3 morphology did not differ by sex or age (all P > .05), so the same severe deformity should be expected across demographic groups.
  • Diagnostic criteria for B3 are >15° retroversion, uniconcave shape, or ≥70% posterior subluxation in an osteoarthritic shoulder, distinguishing it from the biconcave B2 with a persistent paleoglenoid.
Board PearlThe B3 glenoid's apparent humeral head concentricity is an acquired artifact of posterior erosion that hides severe subluxation measured against the scapular plane.

Clinical Relevance

When you look at a B3 glenoid on axial CT and the humeral head appears centered, do not be reassured. That concentricity is acquired: the head has carved out its own retroverted socket, so it looks reduced against the glenoid but is actually 80% posteriorly subluxated against the scapula.

Measure version and subluxation against the scapular plane, which is independent of the erosion and reflects true glenohumeral alignment. This matters at the time of arthroplasty. Retroversion above 10° increases cement-interface micromotion, 15° produces eccentric loading, and severely retroverted glenoids risk peg perforation with asymmetric reaming.

A mean 24° of retroversion often exceeds what simple corrective reaming can safely fix, so a B3 should trigger 3D planning and consideration of augmented components or bone grafting rather than a standard anatomic glenoid.

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