Soslowsky et al. used stereophotogrammetry on 32 cadaveric shoulders to precisely measure the 3D geometry of glenohumeral articular surfaces — quantifying sphericity, radii of curvature, surface areas, and cartilage thickness — to determine whether the joint's limited stability reflects surface incongruence or some other anatomic factor.
When counseling patients or planning surgery for glenohumeral instability, remember: the problem is insufficient glenoid coverage (a 3:1 area deficit), not a flat or mismatched socket — which is why glenoid bone-loss procedures (Latarjet, distal clavicle autograft) restore stability by expanding effective articular area rather than correcting curvature.
Also, don't trust plain radiographs to assess glenohumeral congruity — the glenoid always looks flatter than the humeral head on X-ray because you're seeing bone, not cartilage.
Soslowsky et al. used stereophotogrammetry on 32 cadaveric shoulders to precisely measure the 3D geometry of glenohumeral articular surfaces — quantifying sphericity, radii of curvature, surface areas, and cartilage thickness — to determine whether the joint's limited stability reflects surface incongruence or some other anatomic factor.
When counseling patients or planning surgery for glenohumeral instability, remember: the problem is insufficient glenoid coverage (a 3:1 area deficit), not a flat or mismatched socket — which is why glenoid bone-loss procedures (Latarjet, distal clavicle autograft) restore stability by expanding effective articular area rather than correcting curvature.
Also, don't trust plain radiographs to assess glenohumeral congruity — the glenoid always looks flatter than the humeral head on X-ray because you're seeing bone, not cartilage.