Hypoplasia of the glenoid. A review of sixteen patients

We reviewed the records of sixteen patients, fifteen to sixty-two years old, who had glenoid hypoplasia with or without an associated deformity of the humeral head. The patients were divided into three groups: those who had bilateral glenoid hypoplasia without instability of the shoulder (Group I), those who had bilateral glenoid hypoplasia with instability of the shoulder (Group II), and those who had unilateral glenoid hypoplasia with deformity of the humeral head (Group III). When first seen by us, thirteen of the sixteen patients had pain in the shoulder, which they had noted after an increase in their previous level of activity. All were managed with a specific rehabilitation program for the shoulder. The patients were followed for an average of five years, and most were able to return to their previous level of activity with the resolution of the symptoms.