open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/52805

Glenoid Stress Distribution in Baseball Players Using Computed Tomography Osteoabsorptiometry: A Pilot Study

英語

2012-06

Springer New York

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

470(6)

1534-1539

Background: It is important to understand the loading conditions when considering the pathology of shoulder disorders in overhead athletes. However, because throwing is a complicated motion, direct measurement of the stress distribution across the glenohumeral joint is difficult. Subchondral bone density reportedly reflects the cumulative stress acting on a joint surface under actual loading conditions. Questions/Purposes: To assess alterations in stress distribution across the glenoid cavity caused by pitching, we investigated the distribution of subchondral bone density in nonathletic volunteers and asymptomatic baseball players, including fielders and pitchers. Methods: We collected computed tomography (CT) imaging data from the dominant-side shoulder of 10 nonathletic volunteers (controls), 10 fielders, and 10 pitchers in a competitive college baseball league (all men aged 19-24 years, mean 20.7 years). We measured the distribution of subchondral bone density of the glenoid cavity using CT osteoabsorptiometry. The obtained stress distribution map was divided into four segments: anterosuperior, anteroinferior, posteroinferior, and posterosuperior regions. The location and percentages of high-density regions on the articular surface were analyzed quantitatively. Results: The percentages of high-density regions, including the anteroinferior, and posterior segments, were greater in pitchers and fielders than in controls. The percentages of high-density regions did not differ significantly between pitchers and fielders. Conclusions: The bicentric density patterns indicate that the cumulative force of pitching activity affected the long-term stress distribution across the glenoid cavity. Clinical Relevance: The current results provide useful information for analyzing pitching activity and clarifying the pathology of shoulder disorders associated with throwing.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

0009-921X