Bone grafts used for arthroscopic glenoid reconstruction restore the native glenoid anatomy

Recurrent anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint is a demanding condition, especially in cases of glenoid bone loss. Various treatment options have been described, such as arthroscopic grafting techniques and the Latarjet procedure. In this study, the degree to which an arthroscopically applied iliac crest graft restores the glenoid anatomy was evalutated.

Nine patients (three women and six men) with an average age of 31 ± 9 years (21-46 years) who were treated with an arthroscopic iliac crest graft technique were included in this study. After a mean follow up of 34 ± 10 months (19-50 months) after the procedure, MRI scans of both shoulders were performed and the glenoid width, Glenoid Index (GI), Pixel Signal intensity (PSI), thickness of the tissue covering the articular aspect of the graft, inclination, version, concavity and balance stability angle were measured.

All scans showed the cultivation of tissue on the graft, which visually resembled the cartilage of the native ipsilateral glenoid. Additionally, reshaping of the graft to repair the glenoid configuration could be observed. Glenoid width (p = 0.022) and GI (p < 0.001) increased significantly through surgery. The tissue examined on the graft showed a significant pixel intensity gap (p = 0.017) but comparable thickness (n.s.) in relation to native cartilage. The remaining parameters did not differ significantly between both shoulders.

In the cohort presented, iliac crest grafts were able to restore the glenoid configuration, and the glenoid was re-shaped to its native contour. Additionally, cartilage-like scar tissue with similar thickness as healthy cartilage was formed on the articular side of the graft. These results suggest that glenoid reconstruction is not only important for prevention of recurrence, but also for restoration of the native glenoid anatomy.

Level III-retrospective cohort study.