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An anthropometric study of the distal humerus
Sagar J Desai1, Simon Deluce2, James A Johnson3
1Department of Surgery, Western University, Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre Bioengineering Laboratory, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|February 25, 2014
Summary
The distal humerus is ellipsoid, not spherical, with specific dimensions crucial for designing better distal humeral hemiarthroplasty implants to improve elbow joint function.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomechanics
- Anatomy
Background:
- Optimal distal humeral hemiarthroplasty implant design is unknown due to limited data on normal distal humerus morphology.
- This study quantifies distal humerus anatomy and variability using 3D imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the osseous anatomy and variability of the distal humerus.
- To provide data for the development of improved distal humeral hemiarthroplasty implants.
Main Methods:
- Created 3D surface models from CT scans of 50 cadaveric elbows.
- Defined the flexion-extension axis using geometric centers of the capitellum and trochlear groove.
- Sectioned the distal humerus into 100 slices to analyze dimensions.
Main Results:
- The distal humerus's flexion-extension axis averaged 1° (coronal) and 2° (transverse) from the C line.
- Average trochlear dimensions: width 22 mm, height 18 mm.
- Average capitellum dimensions: width 17 mm, height 23 mm, indicating an ellipsoid shape.
Conclusions:
- The capitellum's dimensions confirm an ellipsoid, not spherical, shape.
- A database of humeral dimensions can guide the creation of more anatomic hemiarthroplasty implants.
- Anatomic implants may enhance kinematics, maximize contact area, and reduce stress on the ulna and radius.
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