J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2013 Oct;48(5):359-365. 10.4055/jkoa.2013.48.5.359.

Structural Analysis of Proximal Humerus in Korean

• Yoo JH
• Chung ST
• Jo BC
• Hyung JW
• Bak DJ

• KMID: 1494148
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2013.48.5.359

Abstract

PURPOSE
Third generation shoulder arthroplasty is widely performed nowadays; however, few studies on the anatomy of the proximal humerus in the Korean population have been reported. The authors have attempted to review the anatomy of the proximal humerus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study sample consisted of 100 humeri of patients with a mean age of 48 years (range of 17 to 83 years) who underwent computed tomography imaging between January 2009 and October 2011 at Myongji Hospital. Diameter of the articular surface, head thickness, radius of curvature, head inclination, head to tuberosity height, bicipital groove-shaft angle, lateral angle, medial offset and posterior offset were analyzed. Results were compared depending on age and gender.
RESULTS
Mean values of diameter of the articular surface was 42.70+/-3.57 mm, head thickness was 14.3+/-2.0 mm, and radius of curvature was 22.50+/-1.97 mm; these three variables showed significant sex differences. Head inclination was measured as 130.00+/-4.28 degrees, head to tuberosity height was 7.50+/-0.99 mm, bicipital groove-shaft angle was 6.60+/-0.92 degrees, and lateral angle was 163.40+/-4.05 degrees. Mean medial and posterior offset were 5.2+/-2.1 mm and 3.1+/-1.8 mm, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, the measurement values of Korean humeri can be used in design of the arthroplasty prosthesis, and this will lead to more accurate anatomical reconstruction of the shoulder joint.

Keyword

Korean; proximal humerus; anatomy; shoulder arthroplasty

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Head
Humans
Humerus*
Prostheses and Implants
Radius
Sex Characteristics
Shoulder
Shoulder Joint

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A) The diameter of the articular surface (a) measured a distance between cartilage edges of the humeral head in the coronal plane. The distance from the peak of the articular surface to the diameter of the articular surface (a) is head thickness (b). The radius of curvature (c) measured the radius of the humeral head in the sagittal plane. (B) Angle (d) formed between the perpendicular line to the diameter of the articular surface and axis of the humeral shaft in the coronal plane.

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  Figure 2 (A) The distance (e) from the peak of the humeral head to the peak of greater tuberosity in the coronal plane. (B) Angle (f) formed between the axis of the humeral shaft to the bicipital groove in the 3 dimensional reconstruction image. (C) Angle (g) formed between lateral contours of the proximal humerus. (D) Humeral head offset distance. The metaphyseal cylinder center and the humeral head center is shown. The distance between the metaphyseal cylinder center and the humeral head center is characterized by medial offset (h), posterior offset (i).

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