Editorial Commentary: Understanding Glenoid Morphology and Bone Density: Should Female Glenoids Be Treated Differently?

Authors

Lorenz Fritsch, Mikalyn T DeFoor, Michael Nocek, Peter J Millett

Published in

Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association. Jun 28, 2026. Epub Jun 28, 2026.

Abstract

Emerging evidence on sex-based differences in glenoid morphology challenges the orthopaedic community to move beyond descriptions and towards meaningful clinical application. Findings that female patients possess a narrower glenoid rim and decreased anterior-inferior bone density compared with male patients-are both anatomically intuitive and surgically consequential. Yet, despite these measurable differences, the current literature is unclear on the effect of sex as an independent predictor of failure following arthroscopic Bankart repair, creating a paradox between anatomy and outcomes. This disconnect underscores a fundamental issue-are we are asking the wrong question? Rather than debating whether sex alone dictates outcomes, maybe we should instead focus on how morphology-of which sex is one contributor-should influence surgical decision-making. Glenoid bone loss remains a continuous, patient-specific variable, and rigid thresholds applied uniformly across populations may be overly simplistic. In practice, a more individualized approach, particularly in female patients, where smaller osseous dimensions and reduced bone density may lower the threshold for augmentation and increase the technical demands of anchor placement. Ultimately, the most actionable insight lies not in redefining risk by sex but in refining indications and techniques through a deeper understanding of anatomy. Surgeons should not treat female glenoids differently because of their sex but because the osseous morphology is different. Recognizing and acting on that distinction is where improved outcomes will be achieved; however, more is to be desired on how these osseous differences should relate to technical changes.

PMID:
42365620
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Jun 2026.

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