PURPOSE: It is commonly accepted that the glenohumeral joint space remains unchanged until the onset of @entity571 , at which point progressive degenerative changes, and joint space narrowing occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic width of the glenohumeral joint space in @entity1 of different ages: Those with otherwise normal radiographs, those with a history of instability, those with @entity730 , and those with a radiologic diagnosis of @entity571 . MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, two independent investigators measured the glenohumeral joint width on true anteroposterior and axillary views of standardized shoulder radiographs taken from 2002 to 2009. The digital image resolution was 0.01 mm. Group I comprised 60 @entity1 with normal shoulder radiographs, Group II comprised 53 @entity1 with instability but normal radiographs, Group III comprised 109 @entity1 with radiologically proven @entity730 , and Group IV comprised 120 @entity1 with @entity571 . RESULTS: The interobserver reliability (r) was 0.621-0.862. The mean joint space width was significantly different among Groups I-IV (central anteroposterior: 4.28    0.75 mm, 3.12    0.73 mm, 2.87    0.80 mm, and 1.47    1.07 mm, respectively; P = 0.001; central axillary: 6.12    1.09 mm, 3.92    0.77 mm, 3.34    0.84 mm, and 1.08    1.12 mm, respectively; P = 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between the joint space width and age at all measured levels in both projections (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The glenohumeral joint space width decreases with increasing age beginning in early adulthood, and this effect is enhanced by @entity571 . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, retrospective study.

Age-related joint space narrowing independent of the development of XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity730 :: ('MESH:D002114', 'Disease') :: ['calcific tendonitis'] @entity571 :: ('MESH:D010003', 'Disease') :: ['manifest osteoarthritis', 'osteoarthritis']
@entity571 :: (MESH:D010003,Disease) :: ['osteoarthritis of the shoulder']
