Walch Classification (Glenoid Morphology, OA)

Walch classification of glenoid morphology in primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (Walch 1999; Bercik 2016).

Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.

Example

Humeral-head position
Posterior subluxation
Glenoid retroversion
23 deg
Glenoid concavity
Biconcave
Central erosion severity
Minor central erosion

Result: Walch type B2

The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.

What the result means

A / B
A = centered head (A1 minor, A2 major central erosion); B = posterior subluxation (B1 no biconcavity, B2 biconcave, B3 monoconcave with >= 15 deg retroversion or >= 70% subluxation).
C / D
C = dysplastic glenoid retroversion over 25 deg; D = anterior subluxation or glenoid anteversion. Subluxation direction is the top-level split.

What you enter

  • Humeral-head position (centered / posterior / anterior)
  • Glenoid retroversion (degrees, anteversion negative)
  • Glenoid concavity (single / biconcave)
  • Central erosion severity (minor / major)
  • Retroversion is dysplastic (congenital, not erosion-caused)
How this is calculated

Walch G, Badet R, Boulahia A, Khoury A. Morphologic study of the glenoid in primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. J Arthroplasty. 1999;14(6):756-760. (Modified: Bercik MJ, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2016;25(10):1601-1606, adding B3 and D.) Read the source ↗

A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.

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Built by Clay Good. Source on GitHub.