The technique and results of shoulder arthroplasty are influenced by glenohumeral pathoanatomy. Although some authors advocate a routine preoperative CT scan to define this anatomy, ordering a CT scan substantially increases the cost and the radiation exposure for the patient.
We asked whether measurements of arthritic shoulders on a standardized axillary view are reliable; if postoperative radiographs can reliably show the changes in glenoid anatomy and glenohumeral relationships after shoulder arthroplasty, and if the axillary view can show differences in glenohumeral pathoanatomy in the different sexes and disease types.
The axillary view provides a practical method of characterizing glenohumeral anatomy before and after surgery that is less costly and exposes the patient to less radiation than a CT scan.
Level of evidence: Level IV, diagnostic study. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
The technique and results of shoulder arthroplasty are influenced by glenohumeral pathoanatomy. Although some authors advocate a routine preoperative CT scan to define this anatomy, ordering a CT scan substantially increases the cost and the radiation exposure for the patient.
We asked whether measurements of arthritic shoulders on a standardized axillary view are reliable; if postoperative radiographs can reliably show the changes in glenoid anatomy and glenohumeral relationships after shoulder arthroplasty, and if the axillary view can show differences in glenohumeral pathoanatomy in the different sexes and disease types.
The axillary view provides a practical method of characterizing glenohumeral anatomy before and after surgery that is less costly and exposes the patient to less radiation than a CT scan.
Level of evidence: Level IV, diagnostic study. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.