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Development and Validation of a Finite Element Model of the Superior Glenoid Labrum

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Abstract

Pathology of the superior glenoid labrum is a common source of musculoskeletal pain and disability. One of the proposed mechanisms of injury to the labrum is superior humeral head migration, which can be seen with rotator cuff insufficiency. Due to the size, anatomical location, and complex composition of the labrum, laboratory experiments have many methodological difficulties. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a finite element model of the glenoid labrum. The model developed includes the glenoid labrum, glenoid cartilage, glenoid bone, and the humeral head cartilage. Labral displacements derived from the finite element model were compared to those measured during a controlled validation experiment simulating superior humeral head translations of 1, 2, and 3 mm. The results of the finite element model compared well to experimental measurements, falling within one standard deviation of the experimental data in most cases. The model predicted maximum average strains in the superior labrum of 7.9, 10.1, and 11.9%, for 1, 2, and 3 mm of humeral translation, respectively. The correspondence between the finite element model and the validation experiment supports the use of this model to better understand the pathomechanics of the superior labrum.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by an internal grant from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Valassis Endowed Research Fund. The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Steve Goldstein, Edward Sihler, Bryan Ladd, Jeff Meganck, Jia Li, Charles Roehm, Dennis Kayner, Dave Marvicsin, Ramon A. Ruberte Thiele, Adam Runkle, Wajeehullah Muhammad, Dr. Robert Kohen, Erin Robinson Bigelow, and Dr. Michael Bey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Optimization and Computation in Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, 2019 Biomedical Science Research Building, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Christopher J. Gatti & Richard E. Hughes

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Christopher J. Gatti, Joseph D. Maratt, Richard E. Hughes & James E. Carpenter

  3. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Mark L. Palmer

  4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Mark L. Palmer & Richard E. Hughes

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  1. Christopher J. Gatti
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Correspondence to Richard E. Hughes.

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Associate Editor Eiji Tanaka oversaw the review of this article.

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Gatti, C.J., Maratt, J.D., Palmer, M.L. et al. Development and Validation of a Finite Element Model of the Superior Glenoid Labrum. Ann Biomed Eng 38, 3766–3776 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0105-4

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