Three Dimensional Anthropometric Analysis of Glenoid Anatomy in Normal Indian Population

Shoulder unlike any other joint has a wide range of mobility and is important in day to day activities. Different ethnic groups vary in skeletal anatomy and anthropometry. Most of our knowledge on the shoulder-anatomy, surgical technique and prosthesis designs is based on western literature. There are few studies on the Indian population. Our aim is to study the anthropometry of glenoid based on 3D CT scan of the shoulder. Our objectives are to calculate glenoid height, width, version, inclination, analyse the data for differences between male and female, compare data with similar studies in India and other countries and study the impact on shoulder arthroplasty implant size.

100 CT scans (male/female-50/50) of the Indian population are studied from our database. Glenoid measurements are calculated and analyzed.

The mean value of glenoid height is 32.9 ± 3.2 mm (27.6-41.7 mm), width 23.4 ± 2.62 mm (19.1-30.9 mm), version 0.07 ± 5.38° (- 11° to + 10.85°) and inclination 6.68 ± 5.49° (- 9.91° to + 20.75°). In our study glenoid is retroverted, superiorly inclined and height is more than width. The height and width are less than French and Americans but slightly more than the Japanese population.

There are significant differences in Indian glenoid measurements compared to other countries. Even the smallest size of shoulder arthroplasty glenoid component currently available in India is larger than the mean glenoid size of our study. As shoulder replacement surgeries are rising in India, we may have to bring changes in the implant design and surgical technique to suit our population.