Traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability: quantification of glenoid bone loss by spiral CT.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of computed tomography (CT) for quantifying glenoid bone defects in patients with anterior glenohumeral instability and assisting in planning the most appropriate type of surgery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

From January to November 2006, 93 patients were studied by spiral CT with multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) for recurrent posttraumatic anteroinferior instability, chronic multidirectional instability and recurrent glenohumeral dislocation after surgical stabilisation.

RESULTS

Quantitative CT enabled us to measure bone defects of the anteroinferior glenoid in terms of area (mm(2)) or surface percentage. Glenoid osseous defects were classified as small (<15%), medium (15%-20%), and large (>20%).

CONCLUSIONS

CT quantification of glenoid bone loss is very accurate as well as rapid, simple and easily reproducible. CT therefore provides an important contribution to preoperative selection of patients, assisting in directing those with <20% bone loss towards arthroscopic capsular repair.