Articular cartilage thickness of the humeral head: an anatomic study.
This study determined the thickness of normal humeral head articular cartilage by anatomic cross section using computer-aided image analysis software. Sixteen adult cadaveric humeral heads were analyzed. Our findings reveal that the thickness of humeral articular cartilage is substantially thinner than articular cartilage found in the knee. The cartilage is thickest in the central portion of the head and becomes progressively thinner towards the periphery. Surgical techniques used to treat pathology in the glenohumeral joint, specifically thermal energy or mechanical debridement, may have deleterious effects on the relatively thin humeral articular cartilage.
Fox
Jeff A
JA
Central States Orthopedic Specialists, The Central States Cartilage Restoration Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Cole
Brian J
BJ
Romeo
Anthony A
AA
Meininger
Alexander K
AK
Williams
James M
JM
Glenn
R Edward
RE
Bicos
James
J
Hayden
Jennifer K
JK
Dorow
Christina B
CB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic