Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the measurement of humeral head retroversion angle and its effects on shoulder arthroplasty.
METHODS: Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (1980/2010) and Wanfang Med Online (1980/2010) were retrieved by computer with the keywords of “humeral head retroversion angle, measurement, influence, shoulder joint, prosthesis design” in Chinese. Inclusive criteria: the articles related to the measurement of humeral head retroversion angle and its effects on shoulder arthroplasty. For articles with similar content, those published in authoritative journal in the past 5 years were preferred. Outdated and repetitive articles were excluded.
RESULTS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 24 literatures were included. Humeral head retroversion angle has great individual differences; meanwhile, measurement results have great differences due to various measurement methods. There are four methods commonly used in the measurement of humeral head retroversion angle: direct anatomical measurement, X-ray film measurement, two-dimensional spiral CT method, and three-dimensional reconstruction of CT volume rending method. The design and development of shoulder joint prostheses have experienced four stages. Whether humeral head retroversion angle meets the requirements is directly related to the quality and operational life of the artificial shoulder joint in shoulder arthroplasty. The individual differences of humeral head retroversion angle also require the implement of personalized shoulder arthroplasty.
CONCLUSION: There are certain advantages and disadvantages in the 4 commonly used methods of humeral head retroversion angle. Multi-slice CT volume rendering technique is a measurement method which is of high accuracy, relatively simple operation, and strong practicability. Humeral head retroversion angle is a significant technical parameter for shoulder arthroplasty; however, it has great individual differences. How the measurement of humeral head retroversion angle in the preoperative and intraoperative processes of shoulder arthroplasty to achieve unification, preciseness, and objectivity needs further studies.