Abstract

Background: The glenoid bare spot has been proposed as a central landmark for arthroscopic quantification of glenoid bone loss in shoulder instability, but some studies have questioned its consistency and centrality. No cadaveric data exist from the local Kenyan population. Volume 18 Issue 4 - 2026 Objective: To describe the presence, morphology, and location of the glenoid bare spot in a Kenyan cadaveric sample and assess its reliability as a geometric center. Methods: Fifteen formalin-fixed shoulders (7 right, 8 left) from 10 adult cadavers were dissected. Shoulders with damage or degeneration were excluded. Bare spot presence, shape, and diameter were recorded. Distances from the bare spot center to anterior and posterior glenoid rims were measured. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: The bare spot was present in all 15 specimens. Shapes were oval (40%), circular (33%), irregular (13%), and crescentic (13%), with median diameter 4.87 mm (range 2.3414.56 mm). Mean distance to anterior rim was 7.33 mm (range 3.99–9.58 mm); to posterior rim, 9.23 mm (range 3.97–17.02 mm), indicating anterior eccentricity. Conclusion: In this cadaveric cohort, the glenoid bare spot was universally present but variable in size/shape and consistently anteriorly eccentric. These findings support existing evidence that it is not a reliable central landmark for assessing glenoid bone loss, with potential to overestimate anterior defects if used arthroscopically.

Keywords

arthroscopy