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Jörn Kircher1, Konstanze Kuerner2, Markus Morhard3, Rüdiger Krauspe2, Peter Habermeyer3
1 Department of Orthopaedics, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Klinik Fleetinsel, Admiralitätstrasse 3-4, 20489 Hamburg; Department of Orthopaedics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf; Department of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, ATOS Clinic, Bismarckstrasse 9-15, 69115 Heidelberg, German, Germany
2 Department of Orthopaedics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
3 Department of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, ATOS Clinic, Bismarckstrasse 9-15, 69115 Heidelberg, German, Germany
Correspondence Address:
Jörn Kircher
Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Klinik Fleetinsel, Admiralitätstrasse 3-420489, Hamburg, German state
Germany
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/0973-6042.145213
Purpose: It is commonly accepted that the glenohumeral joint space remains unchanged until the onset of osteoarthritis, at which point progressive degenerative changes, and joint space narrowing occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic width of the glenohumeral joint space in patients of different ages: Those with otherwise normal radiographs, those with a history of instability, those with calcific tendonitis, and those with a radiologic diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, two independent investigators measured the glenohumeral joint width on true anteroposterior and axillary views of standardized shoulder radiographs taken from 2002 to 2009. The digital image resolution was 0.01 mm. Group I comprised 60 patients with normal shoulder radiographs, Group II comprised 53 patients with instability but normal radiographs, Group III comprised 109 patients with radiologically proven calcific tendonitis, and Group IV comprised 120 patients with manifest osteoarthritis.
Results: The interobserver reliability (r) was 0.621-0.862. The mean joint space width was significantly different among Groups I-IV (central anteroposterior: 4.28 ± 0.75 mm, 3.12 ± 0.73 mm, 2.87 ± 0.80 mm, and 1.47 ± 1.07 mm, respectively; P = 0.001; central axillary: 6.12 ± 1.09 mm, 3.92 ± 0.77 mm, 3.34 ± 0.84 mm, and 1.08 ± 1.12 mm, respectively; P = 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between the joint space width and age at all measured levels in both projections (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The glenohumeral joint space width decreases with increasing age beginning in early adulthood, and this effect is enhanced by osteoarthritis.
Level of Evidence: Level II, retrospective study.
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