Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2007; 20(04): 291-295
DOI: 10.1160/VCOT-07-01-0005
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Mechanoreceptors in the medial and lateral glenohumeral ligaments of the canine shoulder joint

A. Grandis
1   Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Productions, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
,
A. Spadari
2   Veterinary Clinical Department, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
,
C. Bombardi
1   Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Productions, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
,
A. Casadio Tozzi
2   Veterinary Clinical Department, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
,
N. De Sordi
1   Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Productions, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
,
M. L. Lucchi
1   Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology and Animal Productions, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 09 January 2007

Accepted 08 February 2007

Publication Date:
18 December 2017 (online)

Summary

In order to have a better understanding of the role of ligaments in canine shoulder joint stability, the presence of mechanoreceptors in the medial (MGHL) and lateral (LGHL) glenohumeral ligaments was detected by means of a modified gold chloride stain. Three morphologically distinct mechanoreceptors were identified: Ruffini receptors (type I endings), Pacinian corpuscles (type II endings) and Golgi tendon organ-like receptors (type III endings). These receptors are mainly localized at each end of the ligaments and are prevalently in their glenoid portion. In particular, in the MGHL the highest density was at the cranial arm of the insertion into the scapula. The variety of mechanoreceptors in canine shoulder ligaments might indicate an afferent function in providing the CNS with joint proprioceptive information. Therefore, besides acting as passive mechanical stabilizers, the MGHL and the LGHL may serve as sensory structures, contributing actively to joint stability. Ligamentous injuries which occur in shoulders not only affect mechanical restraint but also alter the proprioceptive input to the CNS by means of disruption of the mechanoreceptors.

 
  • References

  • 1 Lippitt Lippitt, Matsen F. Mechanisms of glenohumeral joint stability. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993; 291: 20-28.
  • 2 Wuelker N, Korell M, Thren K. Dynamic glenohumeral joint stability. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998; 7: 43-52.
  • 3 Warner JJP, Bowen MK, Deng X. et al. Effect of joint compression on inferior stability of the glenohumeral joint. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1999; 8: 31-36.
  • 4 Itoi E, Motzkin NE, Browne AO. et al. Intra-articular pressure ofthe shoulder. Arthroscopy 1993; 9: 406-413.
  • 5 Matsen FA, Harryman D, Sidles J. Mechanics of glenohumeral instability. Clin Sports Med 1991; 10: 783-788.
  • 6 Vasseur PB, Moore BS, Brown SA. Stability of the canine shoulder joint: an in vitro analysis. Am J VetRes 1982; 43: 352-355.
  • 7 Terry GC, Hammon D, France P. et al. The stabilizing function of passive shoulder restraints. Am J SportMed 1991; 19: 26-34.
  • 8 Steinbeck J, Liljenqvist U, Jerosch J. The anatomy of the glenohumeral ligamentous complex and its contribution to anterior shoulder stability. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998; 7: 122-126.
  • 9 Burkart AC, Debski RE. Anatomy and function of the glenohumeral ligaments in anterior shoulder instability. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2002; 400: 32-39.
  • 10 Guanche C, Knatt T, Solomonow M. et al. The synergistic action of the capsule and the shoulder muscles. Am J Sport Med 1995; 23: 301-306.
  • 11 Knatt T, Guanche C, Solomonow M. et al. The glenohumeral-biceps reflex in the feline. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1995; 314: 247-252.
  • 12 Solomonow M, Guanche C, Wink C. et al. Mechanoreceptors and reflex arc in the feline shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1996; 5: 139-146.
  • 13 Nyland JA, Caborn DNM, Johnson DL. The human glenohumeral joint. A proprioceptive and stability alliance. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 1998; 6: 50-61.
  • 14 Lephart SM, Myers JB, Bradley JP. Shoulder proprioception and function following thermal capsulorraphy. Arthroscopy 2002; 18: 770-778.
  • 15 Jerosch J, Clahsen H. Grosse-Hackmann A. Effects of proprioceptive fibers in the capsule tissue in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint. Orthopaedic transactions. 1993 16. 773.
  • 16 Myers Myers, Lephart SM. Sensorimotor deficits contributing to glenohumeral instability. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2002; 400: 98-104.
  • 17 Beale SB, Hulse DA, Schulz KS. et al. Small Animal Arthroscopy. 1st ed, Philadelphia: Saunders 2003; 23-49.
  • 18 Bardet JF. Diagnosis of shoulder instability in dogs and cats: a retrospective study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1998; 34: 42-54.
  • 19 Bardet JF. Shoulder instability and joint pain in dogs and cats. Proceedings of 1st World Orthopaedic Veterinary Congress, Munich 2002; 40-42.
  • 20 Sidaway BK, McLaughlin RM, Elder SH. et al. Role of the tendons of the biceps brachii and infraspinatus muscles and the medial glenohumeral ligament in the maintenance of passive shoulder joint stability in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65: 1216-1222.
  • 21 Sidaway BK, McLaughlin RM, Elder SH. et al. The role of negative intra-articular pressure in the maintenance of shoulder joint stability in dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2006; 3: 157-161.
  • 22 Gray MJ, Lambrechts NE, Maritz NGJ. et al. A biomechanical investigation of the static stabilisers of the glenohumeral joint in the dog. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2005; 2: 55-61.
  • 23 Yahia LH, Newman NM, St-Georges M. Innervation of the canine cruciate ligaments. A neurohistological study. Anat Histol Embryol 1992; 21: 1-8.
  • 24 Arcand MA, Rhalmi S, Rivard CH. Quantification of mechanoreceptors in the anterior canine cruciate ligament. Int Orthop 2000; 24: 272-275.
  • 25 O'Connor B, Gonzales J. Mechanoreceptors of the medial collateral ligament of the cat knee joint. JAnat 1979; 129: 719-729.
  • 26 Morisawa Y. study of mechanoreceptors on the coracoacromial ligament. J Orthop Sci 1998; 3: 102-110.
  • 27 Freeman Freeman, Wyke B. The innervation of the knee joint. An anatomical and histological study in the cat. JAnat 1967; 101: 505-532.
  • 28 Vangsness CT, Ennis M, Taylor JG. et al. Neural anatomy of the glenohumeral ligaments, labrum, and subacromial bursa. Arthroscopy 1995; 11: 180-184.
  • 29 Guanche C, Noble J, Solomonow M. et al. Periarticular neural elements inthe shoulder joint. Orthopedics 1999; 22: 615-617.
  • 30 Backenkohler U, Strasmann TJ, Halata Z. Topography ofmechanoreceptors inthe shoulderjoint region – A computer-aided 3D reconstruction in the laboratory mouse. Anat Rec 1997; 248: 433-441.
  • 31 Maass S, Baumann KI, Halata Z. Topography of Corpuscolar Mechanoreceptors in the Shoulder Joint Region of Monodelphis Domestica. Anat Rec 2001; 263: 35-40.
  • 32 Steinbeck J, Bruntrup J, Greshake O. et al. Neurohistological examination of the inferior glenohumeral ligament of the shoulder. J Orthop Res 2003; 21: 250-255.
  • 33 Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessel TM. Principles of neural science. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000: 713-736.
  • 34 Diederichsen PL, Nørregaard J, Krogsgaard M. et al. Reflexes in the shoulder muscles elicited from the human coracoacromial ligament. J Orthop Res 2004; 22: 976-983.
  • 35 Voigt M, Jakobsen J, Sinkjaer T. Non-noxious stimulation ofthe glenohumeral joint capsule elicits strong inhibition of active shouldermuscles in conscious human subjects. Neurosci Lett 1998; 254: 105-108.
  • 36 Zimny ML, Schutte M, Dabezies E. Mechanoreceptors in the human anterior cruciate ligament. AnatRec 1986; 214: 204-209.
  • 37 Evans HE. Miller's anatomy of the dog. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 1993: 233-236.
  • 38 Shimizu T, Takahashi T, Wada Y. et al. Regeneration process of mechanoreceptors in the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. Arch Orthop Traum Surg 1999; 119: 405-409.
  • 39 Georgoulis AD, Pappa L, Moebius U. et al. The presence of proprioceptive mechanoreceptors in the remnants of the ruptured ACL as a possible source of re-innervation of the ACL autograft. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2001; 9: 364-368.