The Dimensions of the Scapula Glenoid in Japanese Rotator Cuff Tear Patients

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has become a widely accepted surgical procedure in Japan since the time when the implants were approved for use in 2014. There is a doubt, however, as to whether the implants designed for Western people are suitable for Japanese people, particularly for females of relatively small stature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the glenoid dimension, with special focus on the length after glenoid reaming, in Japanese rotator cuff tear patients.

Fifty-six shoulders of 55 patients (35 males and 20 females; mean age, 63.8 years) were studied. Using the three-dimensional computed tomography images of the entire scapula before shoulder surgery, we measured the glenoid height and width, and calculated the correlation between these measurements and the patient's height. Further, we measured the anteroposterior length of the scapular neck at the subchondral bone and the length at 15 mm medial to the subchondral bone, to simulate both the glenoid width after reaming (width of the 'virtual reamed surface') and the space available for the end of the center post of a standard glenoid baseplate.

The average glenoid height and width were 35.8 mm and 28.1 mm in males and 30.8 mm and 23.4 mm in females, respectively. There was a significant correlation between patient height and glenoid size (glenoid height, r = 0.69; width, r = 0.75; p < 0.01). The mean value of the width of the virtual reamed surface was 27.0 mm in males and 22.5 mm in females. The mean anteroposterior length at 15 mm medial to the subchondral bone was 12.4 mm in males and 9.5 mm in females; the length was shorter than 8 mm in 6 female shoulders.

There was a significant correlation between patient height and glenoid size. Considering that the common diameter of the commercially available baseplates and their center posts is greater than 25 mm and 8 mm, respectively, these prosthetic parts would be too large, especially for the Japanese female glenoid. Given that the current results of Japanese shoulder dimensions are similar to those of Asian people, 'Asian size implants' should be developed.