Some anatomical characteristics of rotator cuff insertions into the greater tuberosity of the humerus in Vietnamese adults related to surgery

Main Article Content

Manh Nguyen Huu, Dung Tran Trung, Trinh Le Khanh, Toan Nguyen Minh, Tuyen Nguyen Trung

Abstract

Background: The anatomy of subscabpularis insertion is relatively clear. However, the other 3 rotator cuff muscles have the insertions into the greater tuberosity of the humerus, so the anatomy of these insertions so far not very clear. The research results of the authors are not consistent. The purpose of this study is to describe the anatomic characteristics of the insertion of 3 rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) on Vietnamese adults their application in surgery.


Materials and Methods: Descriptive study consisted of 20 shoulders of fresh cadavers with an average age of 63.2, not accompanied by rotator cuff lesions. These specimens were dissected and to reveal the rotator cuff tendons and their insertions in a consistent procedure. Anatomical features of cuff insertions were  marked and scanned by a 3D scanner. Image data was extracted and analyzed by specialized 3D image processing software.


Results: The anterior edge of the 3 tendons tended to converge at one point. Distance from the superolateral point of the insertion sites of the supraspinatus (SSP), infraspinatus (ISP) and teres minor (TM) tendon to the cartilage margin and distance between these points were respectively BB1 = 10.01 mm, GG1 = 10.25 mm, KK1 = 12.8 mm, ZZ1 = 20.93 mm; BG = 8.05 mm, GK = 9.53 mm, ZK = 23.91 mm. The distance from the superolateral point of the supraspinatus insertion site to the bicipital groove was BB2 =7.54 mm.


Conclusion: Some anatomical features of the rotator cuff insertions may help determine the locations of the anchors in rotator cuff repair surgery more accurately and nearly anatomically similar to the original insertions.

Article Details

Section
Articles