Analysis of roentgenologic parameters of the articular process of the scapula in children with instability of the shoulder joint

Abstract

Background. The frequency of occurrence of dislocation of the shoulder joint is the highest among that for all other limb joints. Simultaneously, recurrent instability of the shoulder joint develops majorly in children and adolescents, which, in the future, lead to the development of persistent pain syndrome. Past evidence indicate that the features of the spatial positioning of the articular process of the scapula can be considered as a risk factor toward the development of instability in the shoulder joint among adult patients. However, there is no reliable data in the literature regarding the influence of tilt and rotation of the shoulder blade glenoid on the occurrence of instability in the shoulder joint among children and adolescents. Encouraged, we undertook this subject for our study.
 Aim. To clarify the impact of changes in the version and inclination of the glenoid on the instability of the shoulder joint among children.
 Materials and methods. We analyzed the survey data of 42 children with a habitual dislocation of the shoulder of traumatic and atraumatic origins. The average ages of the examined children were 15.57 1.75 and 15.07 1.64 years, respectively, for those with shoulder instability of traumatic and atraumatic origins, respectively.
 Results. Statistical data processing revealed no significant differences in the versioning and inclination of the glenoid process between the groups with traumatic and atraumatic instabilities of the shoulder joint. Notably, the average values of versioning and inclination indicators were in the normal range.
 Conclusion. Based on our results, we suggest that, in the childhood, the dynamic and static soft tissue stabilizers of the shoulder joint play the leading role in the formation of instability of the shoulder joint.