Age-related changes of the glenoid: A narrative review

ML Roberts Prize Winner

Abstract

An increased incidence of glenoid labral injuries has been reported, possibly due to advances in imaging procedures with an improved ability to define these injuries. This narrative review describes the common variations of the glenoid labrum, age-related changes and effects of sport- and occupation-related stress. Five electronic databases were searched using the following keywords: shoulder joint, glenoid labrum, age factors and age. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria: seven investigated cadavers, two throwing sportspeople and four patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. Normal anatomical variants include the sublabral foramen and recess, a mobile superior glenoid labrum, a cord-like middle glenohumeral ligament and the Buford complex. These changes start to appear around the age of 30 years with increasing incidence with age, while in throwing sportspeople changes and SLAP lesions commonly appear as early as adolescence. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the development of these changes, and whether or not they are associated with risk for future symptoms. However, based on current findings, the presence of the ageor activity-related changes is not always associated with symptoms. Thus, caution is needed when making decisions with regards to the labral changes as possible sources of a patient’s shoulder symptoms.