Xu Biao, Lu Tan, Jiang Yaqiong, Yin Yujiao

doi:10.12307/2025.127

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Currently, numerous experiments delve into the intricate anatomy and biomechanical behavior of distinct segments of the supraspinatus muscle. However, the impact of shoulder joint stress resulting from damage to various regions of this muscle remains a scarcely explored domain. Understanding the repercussions of supraspinatus muscle injuries across different regions on the stress distribution and magnitude of articular cartilage and the glenoid is crucial for providing some theoretical support for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the maximum stress values by simulating different degrees of supraspinatus muscle rupture on the humeral cartilage surface, glenoid lip, and glenoid cartilage joint surface using three-dimensional finite element software.
METHODS: Normal and healthy shoulder joint CT or MRI scans were processed through Mimics and Geomagic to extract molds. Subsequently, models were constructed via Solidworks. Varying degrees of supraspinatus muscle damage were simulated for each model to mimic fractures in different regions. Finally, Ansys, mechanical software, was employed for three-dimensional finite element biomechanical analysis, calculating stress values for the humeral cartilage surface, glenoid lip, and glenoid cartilage joint surface.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) With worsening degrees of supraspinatus muscle injury, the stress on the shoulder joint cartilage surface and glenoid lip escalated. (2) Among various regions, the anterior part of the supraspinatus muscle exhibited paramount significance. (3) While supraspinatus muscle fractures of differing degrees impacted the magnitude of cartilage stress on the glenoid labial surface, the stress distribution remained constant. (4) It is indicated that during the initial stages of horizontal abduction of the shoulder joint, the anterior region assumes a pivotal role, followed by the posterior deep region. Injury to the anterior part of the supraspinatus muscle leads to a significant surge in stress within the shoulder joint’s soft tissue, potentially causing damage to the top of the glenoid lip and the anterior part of the glenoid cartilage.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节；骨植入物；脊柱；骨折；内固定；数字化骨科；组织工程

Key words: supraspinatus, shoulder joint, glenoid, biomechanics, finite element analysis

CLC Number:

Xu Biao, Lu Tan, Jiang Yaqiong, Yin Yujiao. Xu Biao, Lu Tan, Jiang Yaqiong, Yin Yujiao[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2025, 29(9): 1768-1774.

Figures/Tables 3

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