Correlation of coracoid thickness and glenoid width: an anatomic morphometric analysis.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Anatomy
• Biomechanics

Background:

• The coracoid process is frequently utilized as a graft for anterior glenoid bone defects in procedures like Latarjet and Bristow.
• Despite successful outcomes, quantitative data correlating coracoid graft dimensions with glenoid anatomy is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the mediolateral (M-L) and anteroposterior (A-P) thickness of the coracoid process.
• To determine the widest anterior-to-posterior glenoid distance (glenoid width).
• To analyze the correlation between coracoid dimensions and glenoid width.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive laboratory study involving 61 human cadaveric scapulae.
• Three independent examiners measured the M-L thickness of the coracoid process and the A-P glenoid width.
• A-P coracoid process thickness was also measured for correlation analysis.

Main Results:

• The average glenoid width was 26.38 mm, with an average M-L coracoid thickness of 14.51 mm.
• The M-L coracoid thickness ranged from 43% to 70% of the glenoid width, averaging 54%.
• The A-P coracoid process thickness averaged 8.37 mm, representing 31% of the glenoid width.

Conclusions:

• A significant positive correlation exists between coracoid process M-L thickness and anterior-to-posterior glenoid width.
• The coracoid graft, on average, accounts for 54% of the glenoid width, supporting its use in reconstruction.
• Coracoid process grafting can effectively restore glenoid anatomy in most cases of bone loss due to recurrent shoulder dislocation.