Glenoid Bone Loss

Glenoid bone loss commonly occurs due to traumatic events like dislocations or repeated subluxations (partial dislocations) of the shoulder. These incidents cause direct damage to the bone and surrounding structures, leading to a loss of bone tissue.

Certain athletic activities that involve overhead or high contact movements, such as baseball, basketball, or rugby, place athletes at a higher risk for shoulder instability and consequent glenoid bone loss. Other factors such as genetics, age, gender, and overall health can also influence the likelihood of experiencing this condition.

As a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon, Dr. Mayo uses a combination of physical examination, medical history review, and advanced imaging techniques to evaluate glenoid bone loss. During a physical examination, he will assess the range of motion, strength, and stability of your shoulder. He might also perform specific maneuvers to determine if your shoulder is prone to dislocation.

A review of your medical history can offer insights into your risk factors for glenoid bone loss. Information such as previous injuries or surgeries, sports participation, the nature of your job, or a family history of bone or connective tissue disorders can be vital clues.

Imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans provide a more detailed assessment of the condition of your bone and the surrounding tissues. They enable Dr. Mayo to visualize the degree of bone loss, the condition of the soft tissue structures, and any other associated injuries.

The management of glenoid bone loss primarily depends on the severity of the bone loss, your activity level, and your specific goals. Treatment strategies can be broadly divided into non-surgical and surgical options.

Non-surgical options are usually considered for minor glenoid bone loss and in patients with lower activity demands. This approach often involves physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain management.

Physical therapy aims at strengthening the shoulder muscles to enhance stability and improve range of motion. Lifestyle modifications might involve adjusting activities that put undue stress on your shoulder or contribute to instability. These will not heal the bone loss, but you may be able to avoid further damage to your shoulder. If you do continue to have recurrent instability events, it will cause more damage, and increase your risk for arthritis.

For patients with significant glenoid bone loss or for those who continue to experience instability despite non-surgical treatment, surgical intervention may be recommended. Surgery aims at restoring the normal anatomy of the glenoid, thereby enhancing shoulder stability.

There are several types of surgeries available for managing glenoid bone loss, and the choice of procedure depends on the specifics of your case. Dr. Mayo may use techniques like bone grafting, where a piece of bone from another part of your body (or from a donor) is used to fill in the deficient area of the glenoid. Other techniques such as Latarjet procedure involve transferring a piece of bone from your shoulder blade to the front of your glenoid.