Age related biomechanical properties of the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the biomechanical properties of the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex for the two age groups.


METHODS
In vitro human cadaver study evaluating the biomechanical properties of the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex for a younger group (n=5, mean age 38.5, SD 0.5 years) and an older group (n=7, mean age 74.8, SD 5.3 years).


BACKGROUND
Glenohumeral instability is more of a problem in younger than in older individuals, primarily because recurrence is much more common at a young age.


METHODS
Tensile testing was performed on the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex in the shoulder apprehension position using a custom jig, Instron machine and a video digitizing system.


RESULTS
In the younger individuals disruption of the complex most often occurred at the glenoid-labrum region of the glenoid insertion site. In the older individual, disruption most often occurred at the midsubstance region. The load and the stress at failure of the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex showed that the older group was only 61% and 46% of the younger group, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The structural properties of the glenoid-anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament-humerus complex and the material characteristics of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament for the younger group were significantly superior than the older group.


CONCLUSIONS
A stronger and more extensive repair, such as the traditional open technique, may be necessary for younger individuals with glenohumeral instability whereas in older individuals, a different repair technique, such as an arthroscopic technique, may be sufficient.
Lee
T Q
TQ
Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (151), 5901 East 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90822, USA. tqlee@med.va.gov
Dettling
J
J
Sandusky
M D
MD
McMahon
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*