Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Anterior Capsular Reconstruction with Human Dermal Allograft for Irreparable Subscapularis Tears
Published on: May 9, 2025
The scapula spine may not be a suitable source of bone graft for glenoid reconstruction in critical bone loss
Lucy Oliver-Welsh1, Rebecca Beni1, Emmett O'Flaherty1
1St George's Shoulder Unit, St George's University Hospital London, London, UK.
Background:
The hypothesis is that the scapula spine can provide a graft of suitable dimensions for use in cases of shoulder instability with critical bone loss. We aimed to investigate its utility with grafts of differing sizes.
Methods:
The scapula spine was measured on computed tomography scans of 50 patients who had undergone anterior stabilization. The theoretical ability to harvest a graft of either 2 × 1 × 1 cm or 2 × 0.8 × 0.8 cm was analyzed.
Results:
Using the 2 × 1 × 1 cm threshold, 36% of the scapulae had at least 1 zone from which a suitable graft could be obtained. 61% had only 1 zone from which a suitable graft could be obtained. Using the 2 × 0.8 × 0.8 cm threshold, 72% had at least 1 zone from which a graft could be obtained. A total of 47% met the threshold in 1 zone only.
Conclusion:
The scapula spine can be used as a source of autograft. Grafts up to 2 x 1 × 1 cm can be harvested in some individuals; however, the anatomy is very variable.
