Assessment of scapular morphology and bone quality with statistical models

Abstract

The design of total shoulder arthroplasty implants are guided by anatomy. The objective of this study was to develop statistical models to quantify shape and material property variation in the scapula. Material-mapped models were reconstructed from CT scans for a training set of subjects. Statistical shape (SSM) and intensity (SIM) models were created; SSM modes described scaling, changes in the medial border and acromial process, and elongation of the scapular blade. SIM modes captured bone quality changes in the anterior and inferior glenoid. Bone quality was independent of scapular morphology. Variation described by the statistical representations can inform implant design and sizing.

Keywords:

• Statistical shape modeling
• statistical intensity modeling
• scapula
• glenoid
• bone morphology
• bone quality

Disclosure statement

Jason Chavarria and James Brownhill are employees of DePuy Synthes. William Burton, Irene Sintini, and Peter Laz received institutional support and have no other disclosures related to the subject of this article.

Notes

1 https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/41396-nonrigidicp

Additional information

Funding

Institutional support for this study was provided by DePuy Synthes.