There were few studies about anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus recently. In addition, there was no comparison between Westerner (European and American) and Korean in anatomic characteristics of humerus. The aims of this paper are therefore to investigate anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus and to compare them with those of Westerner humerus. The seventy-two humerus (male : 66, female : 6) were scanned by computed tomography and three dimensional (3D) models of humerus were then reconstructed from acquired cross-section images. The twenty-one anatomic characteristics of the humerus were analyzed and were measured for each humerus. From the results, humeral head vertical diameter in the present study was generally bigger than that in the previous study (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the anatomic characteristics of the right and left humerus in the present Korean (p>0.05). Humeral head inclination angle, greater tuberosity lateral offset distance, humeral head height in Korean were generally bigger than those in Westerner (p<0.05). This study may contribute to develop an optimal implants and prostheses for the treatment of humerus fractures of Koran.
Female ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Prostheses and Implants

PURPOSE: The bone defects that are associated with shoulder anterior instability may be the causes of failure of arthroscopic surgery. For the treatment of traumatic shoulder instability, we tried to determine the arthroscopic techniques that can be used for the bone defect of the glenoid and the humeral head. The purpose of this study is to assess the surgical techniques for the arthroscopic reconstruction of the shoulder with anterior instability and bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the articles that have been recently published on anterior shoulder instability and we assessed the arthroscopic surgical techniques. We compared the articles and the methods of arthroscopic surgical techniques for treating bone defects of the anteroinferior glenoid and the posterolateral humeral head, which were considered as the causes of recurrence of shoulder instability. RESULTS: There are the anteroinferior bone defects of the glenoid and Hill-Sachs lesions in the bone defects that appear in patients with anterior shoulder instability. These bone defects are currently the causes of failure of arthroscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: Open shoulder surgery may be the treatment of the choice for a shoulder with instability and significant bone defects of the glenoid and the humeral head. But efforts are being made to overcome the weaknesses of open surgery by the use of arthroscopy
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Recurrence ; Shoulder

This is to report a case of the homogeneous transplantation of the single articular surface and its supporting bone of the proximal one third of the humerus and humeral head for the treatment of the giant cell tumor involving the proximal humerus.
Giant Cell Tumors ; Humeral Head ; Humerus

PURPOSE: To obtain basic anatomical data of proximal humerus of Korean adult skeleton. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two dry humeri of Korean adults were measured with a caliper and goniometer. Measured parameters were retroversion, angle of the bicipital groove, bicipital groove-shaft angle, neck-shaft angle, diameters of the humeral head, dimension of the greater tuberosity, distance between humeral head and greater tuberosity, and length of the humerus. All of the eight parameters were measured twice. The correlations between retroversion and diameters of the humeral head, retroversion and length of the humerus, retroversion and angle of the bicipital groove, diameters of the humeral head and length of the humerus were analyzed by student t-test using SAS system. RESULTS: Retroversion was 34.2 degree with high individual variation, ranging from 17.0 degree to 50.0 degree. The angle of the bicipital groove was 36.2 (22.0-54.0) degree. The bicipital groove-shaft angle was 7.4 (1.0- 16.0) degree. The neck-shaft angle was 136.3 (120.0-150.0) degree. The superior-inferior diameter of the humeral head was 43.3 (35.5-52.0) mm, and anterior-posterior diameter was 39.9 (33.5-46.0) mm. The dimension of the greater tuberosity was 29.8 (19.0-46.0) mm, and the distance between humeral head and greater tuberosity was 7.9 (4.5-12.0) mm. The length of the humerus was 303.7 (265.0-388.0) mm. There was significant correlation between the head diameters, the retroversion, and the length, but no correlation between the retroversion and the angle of the bicipital groove. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that high individual variation of retroversion should be considered in case of arthroplasty. The humeral head was elliptical in shape. The mean narrow diameter of the humeral head was about 40 mm. The greater tuberosity was about 30 mm in dimension, and located 8 mm inferior to the humeral head. The bicipital groove was not a reliable reference in determining retroversion.
Adult* ; Arthroplasty ; Head ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus* ; Skeleton*

There are many methods of making cement spacer in patients who require a two-staged operation for humeral head osteomyelitis. However, limitation of motion after the first surgery—due to inadequate size and insufficient intra-articular space for second surgery—remain to be an issue. To mitigate this issue, we made a cement spacer with the same size and shape of the patient humeral head. Four patients with humeral head osteomyelitis were enrolled in this study. To make the cement spacer, we used the Mimics program, and designed the molding box by a reverse engineering technique. We evaluated the range of motion and pain using a Constant score. The mean abduction was 50° (40°–60°), forward flexion was 50° (30°–70°), and average Constant score was 47.75 (44–52). Three-dimensional printed molding technique is one of the effective methods for humeral head osteomyelitis allowing for daily activities prior to the second surgery.
Fungi* ; Humans ; Humeral Head* ; Osteomyelitis* ; Range of Motion, Articular

A posterior shoulder dislocation with a fracture is rare. Most fractures are impression fractures of the humeral head or lesser tuberosity fractures. However, there are no reports of a complete rupture of the rotator cuff with a combined posterior glenohumeral dislocation. We report a unique case of a posterior shoulder dislocation with an avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity and a complete rupture of infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis tendons, which were treated surgically.
Humeral Head ; Rotator Cuff* ; Rupture* ; Shoulder Dislocation* ; Shoulder* ; Tendons

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result and complication of treatment using Locking Compression Plate (LCP) for fracture of proximal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2006, 21 patients with two-part and three-part fractures of the proximal humerus were treated by LCP fixation. Their average age was 54.9 years. Postoperative mean follow-up period was 22.9 months. The reduction was qualified and complication were assessed with final radiographs. The functional outcome was evaluated by Neer's rating system. RESULTS: By Neer's functional evaluation, mean score of shoulder function was 86.3 and 18 case (86%) had excellent or satisfactory results. There was one case of nonunion but no infection or avascular necrosis of the humeral head. No correlation was found between the final result and the type of fracture, age, gender or quality of reduction. CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory result of LCP fixation for fracture of proximal humerus in this study. LCP fixation for proximal humerus fracture is a reliable method to obtain satisfactory reduction, rigid fixation and early exercise.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus* ; Necrosis ; Shoulder

PURPOSE: We assessed the radiographic and clinical results of one surgeon's experience treating proximal humerus fractures with a locked proximal humeral plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with unstable proximal humerus fractures were treated with a locking compression plate between February 2005 and September 2007. The average age of the patients was 60.6 years, and the average postoperative follow-up period was 22.3 months. The clinical results were evaluated using the Constant and DASH scores. The radiologic results were evaluated by the Paavolainen method, which measures the neck shaft angle and humeral head height. RESULTS: At the last follow-up examination, the mean Constant score was 75.3 and 15 cases (75%) had excellent or good results; the mean DASH score was 16.4. The mean neck shaft angle was 137.1degrees , and 19 cases (95%) had good results by the Paavolainen method. There was one delayed union, malunion, and screw loosening. CONCLUSION: The patients treated with a locking compression plate had relatively good clinical and radiologic results, and a low complication rate. Moreover, the patients could exercise earlier due to good reduction and initial stability. Treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures with a locking compression plate is a reliable method
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Neck

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of the treatment of a proximal humerus fracture with a locking compression plate(LCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reviewed the results of 24 cases of a proximal humerus fracture treated with a LCP from January 2005 to April 2007, after a follow up of more than 12 months. There were 8 males and 16 females with a mean age of 68.9(33-90) years. The clinical results were evaluated using the Neer's evaluation criteria, and the radiographic results were evaluated using the bone union time and Paavoleinen method. RESULTS: The mean time for bone union was 11.9 weeks. Using the Neer's functional evaluation, 21 cases of the 24 patients (87%) showed excellent or satisfactory results. Twenty two cases (91%) showed good results according to the Paavoleinen method. The complications encountered were metal failure (1 patient), AVN of the humeral head (1 patient) and joint stiffness (1 patient). CONCLUSION: The LCP demonstrated good results in the treatment of a proximal humerus fracture and has relatively fewer complications than other internal fixators.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Joints ; Male

PURPOSE: An osseous defect in the glenoid and humeral head is closely associated with recurrence of anterior shoulder instability. The purpose of this article is to describe the open surgical techniques and introduce our experiences with anterior instability with a significant osseous defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the articles that have focused on and/or mentioned the affect of osseous defects on anterior shoulder instability. The open surgical techniques and its related pearls are summarized in this review. RESULTS: Accurate evaluation for the size and location of the osseous defect is critical for preventing recurrence after restoration of the anterior capsulolabral structure. The glenoid bone restoration techniques include the coracoids transfer (the Bristow procedure and the Latarjet procedure) and a structural iliac bone graft. Rotational humeral osteotomy and an osteoarticular allograft could be used for repairing a significant posterosuperior humeral defect (Hill-Sachs lesion). Shoulder arthroplasty may be tried for treating a humeral bone defect, but more study on this is needed. CONCLUSION: Open surgical restoration decreases the risk of recurrence anterior shoulder instability that is combined with a significant osseous defect. Arthroscopic surgery currently has limitations for treating an osseous defect, but it will become useful in proportion to the development of arthroscopic instruments and techniques in the future.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroscopy ; Humeral Head ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Shoulder ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants