Muscle volume imbalance may be associated with static posterior humeral head subluxation

Background The transverse force couple (TFC) of the rotator cuff (subscapularis vs. infraspinatus and teres minor muscle) is an important dynamic stabilizer of the shoulder joint in the anterior-posterior direction. In patients with posterior static subluxation of the humeral head (PSSH), decentration of the humeral head posteriorly occurs, which is associated with premature arthritis. We hypothesize that not only pathologic glenoid retroversion but also chronic muscle volume imbalance in the transverse force couple leads to PSSH. Methods A retrospective analysis of the TFC muscle volumes of 9 patients with symptomatic, atraumatic PSSH, within 8 were treated with glenoid correction osteotomy, was conducted. The imaging data (CT) of 9 patients/10 shoulders of the full scapula and shoulder were analyzed, and the muscle volumes of the subscapularis (SSC), infraspinatus (ISP) and teres minor muscles (TMM) were measured by manually marking the muscle contours on transverse slices and calculating the volume from software. Furthermore, the glenoid retroversion and glenohumeral distance were measured. Results The mean glenoid retroversion was − 16° (− 7° to − 31°). The observed mean glenohumeral distance was 4.0 mm (0 to 6.8 mm). Our study population showed a significant muscle volume imbalance between the subscapularis muscle and the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles (192 vs. 170 ml; p = 0.005). There was no significant correlation between the subscapularis muscle volume and the glenohumeral distance ( r = 0.068), ( p = 0.872). Conclusion The muscle volume of the SSC in patients with PSSH was significantly higher than the muscle volume of the posterior force couple (ISP and TMM). This novel finding, albeit in a small series of patients, may support the theory that transverse force couple imbalance is associated with PSSH. Level of evidence Level 4 – Case series with no comparison group.