• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1999

Glenoid labrum acts as one of static stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint. It deepens the glenoid socket and may also serve as a chock, acting as a wedge in preventing glenohumeral translation. Two types of variations in labral anatomy were noted by Detrisac and Johnson. Type A has a superior labrum that is detached centrally but well attached peripherally. The type B labrum is well attached centrally and peripherally at all sites. A meniscoid-type labrum is thought to be normal unless there are splits or fragmentation of the overlying labral tissue. Meniscoid type labrum is different from SLAP II lesion in that it has a firm anchoring on the superior labrum. We observed four cases that had a meniscoid variant superior labrum, which covered the superior glenoid unusually larger than normal in the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder pathology including instability and rotator cuff diseases. We did arthroscopic reshaping and debridement of meniscoid variant superior labrum combined with pathologic change of the glenohumeral joint. Further study would be required for understanding the mechanism of the development of meniscoid variant labrum and its clinical significance.