Glenoid size, inclination, and version: an anatomic study

Three hundred forty-four human scapular bones (172 matched pairs) were measured for their glenoid height, width, inclination, and version. The sample consisted of 50 black men, 50 white men, 50 black women, and 22 white women, all of whom were aged 20 to 30 years at the time of death. The mean age of the study group was 25.6 years. No difference in glenoid size was noted between black and white patients. The overall glenoid version for the entire study group was 1.23 degrees of retroversion. The difference in glenoid version between black and white patients was statistically significant. The average glenoid version for black and white patients measured 0.20 degrees and 2.65 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.000014). Specifically, the glenoid version for black and white men measured 0.11 degrees and 2.87 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.00034). The glenoid version for black and white women measured 0.30 degrees and 2.16 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.034). No statistical difference in glenoid version was found between men and women of the same race. No difference was found between measuring the glenoid version based on the transverse axis of the scapula and measuring the glenoid version perpendicular to the glenohumeral joint. No statistical difference was found in the glenoid inclination based on race or sex. The relationships between glenoid size, inclination, and version are important to understand when a surgeon prepares to resurface the glenoid during total shoulder arthroplasty. The knowledge of these values, their variation, and racial differences should help reproduce a more anatomical result.