Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
06:09
Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
3.9K
Serum Cartilage Biomarkers and Shoulder Instability
Orthopedics
|September 30, 2016
Summary
Lower levels of collagen type II cleavage, a cartilage biomarker, were found in athletes who later developed shoulder instability. This may indicate a predisposition to instability in young athletes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biochemistry
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Cartilage biomarker differences are known in anterior cruciate ligament tears.
- The relationship between cartilage biomarkers and shoulder instability is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preinjury serum cartilage biomarkers and the development of shoulder instability in young athletes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study followed young athletes from 2006-2010.
- A nested case-control analysis compared preinjury collagen type II cleavage and procollagen II carboxy propeptide levels in athletes who developed shoulder instability versus controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure biomarker levels.
Main Results:
- Mean preinjury collagen type II cleavage levels were significantly lower in subjects who subsequently developed shoulder instability (73.91 pg/mL) compared to controls (79.24 pg/mL, P=.03).
- No significant difference was observed in preinjury procollagen II carboxy propeptide levels between the groups (359.94 vs 396.37, P=.24).
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to link baseline collagen biomarkers to subsequent shoulder instability.
- Lower collagen type II cleavage levels may suggest a genetic predisposition or a compensatory mechanism reducing cartilage degradation in athletes prone to instability.
