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Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
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Arthroplasty of the Shoulder



- See:
        - Surgical Technique:
        - Anterior Approach to Shoulder

- Discussion:
      - indicated for end stage DJD or RA shoulder involvement;
      - contra-indications to shoulder arthroplasty include combined rotator cuff / deltoid paralysis and recent joint infection;
            - in these rare circumstances, arthrodesis may be considered;
      - may occur as a consequence of recurrent shoulder instability;
      - references:
            - Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients with a Prior Anterior Shoulder Dislocation.   Results of a Multicenter Study.
            - Dislocation arthropathy of the shoulder


- Exam:
      - note the degree both preoperatively and postoperatively of scapulothoracic to glenohumeral motion;
      - as noted by RJ Friedman 1998, patients with DJD of the shoulder reverse the normal 1:2 ratio of scapulothoracic to glenohumeral motion
            ratio (and in most cases this is not changed w/ arthroplasty);
      - excessive external rotation:
            - may indicated deficiency of the subscapularis in which case, the subscapularis may have to be augmented w/ an Achilles tendon allograft;
      - restricted external rotation:
            - may indicated severe wear of the posterior glenoid, in which case the glenoid may have to be reamed to a more neutral version;



- Radiographs:
      - AP radiograph in internal and external rotation
      - axillary view to assess glenoid deficiencies;
            - even if glenoid appears normal on the axillary view, any posterior subluxation may
                    indicate excessive poserior glenoid wear;
      - CT scan:
            - may allow better assesment of the glenoid version and possible posterior glenoid erosion;
            - ref: The use of computerized tomography in the measurement of glenoid version.
      - osteoarthritic changes:
            - prominent osteophyte at the inferior margin of the humeral head or glenoid is characteristic;
            - mild arthrosis: inferior osteophyte less than 3 mm in length;
            - moderate arthrosis: inferior osteophyte between 3-5 mm in length, irregularity of the joint line and subchondral sclerosis;
            - severe arthrosis: inferior osteophyte measuring more than 5 mm or if there is joint incongruity;


- Operative Considerations: hemiarthroplasty vs total shoulder arthroplasty:
      - preoperative planning must take the following in consideration: status of rotator cuff, bone stock, asymmetric wear, and type and extent of soft tissue contractures;
      - expectations:
            - patients should not generally expect to achieve elevation above 130 deg;
            - patients should also understand that improvements in function will continue for upto 18 months postoperatively;
      - poor prognositic indicators:
            - osseous deficiency of the humeral head or glenoid;
            - non-functioning rotator cuff or deltoid;
            - shoulder instability;
            - previous anterior acromioplasty and excision of the CA ligament;
                    - may allow antero-superior dislocation;
                    - consider reconstruction of the CA ligament and pectoralis transfer during the arthroplasty;
      - examination findings:
            - excessive external rotation:
                    - may indicated deficiency of the subscapularis in which case, the subscapularis may have to be augmented w/ an Achilles tendon allograft;
            - restricted external rotation:
                    - may indicated severe wear of the posterior glenoid, in which case the glenoid may have to be reamed to a more neutral version;
      - glenoid bone loss: (see glenoid component);
            - many pts w/ OA have posterior glenoid bone loss, & pts w/ RA may have central or medial erosion;
            - if posterior glenoid bone loss is present, consider altering amount of humeral retroversion from the normal 35 deg to a less retroverted position;
            - this should prevent posterior instability and eccentric glenoid loosening;
            - references:
                    - Glenoid bone-grafting in total shoulder arthroplasty.
                    - The Effect of Humeral Component Anteversion on Shoulder Stability with Glenoid Component Retroversion.
      - massive rotator cuff tear:
            - see hemiarthroplasty in the rotator cuff deficient patient
            - references:
                    - Replacement arthroplasty of the rotator cuff deficient shoulder.
                    - Prosthetic replacement of the shoulder for the treatment of defects in the rotator cuff and the surface of the glenohumeral joint.



- Surgical Technique:    
      - hemiarthroplasty
      - total shoulder arthroplasty:






- Complications of Shoulder Arthroplasty:








The use of computerized tomography in the measurement of glenoid version.

Unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty. A five-year average follow-up study.

The effect of articular conformity and the size of the humeral head component on laxity and motion after glenohumeral arthroplasty. A study in cadavera.

Neer hemiarthroplasty and Neer total shoulder arthroplasty in patients fifty years old or less.   Long Term Results.   JW Sperling et al.   JBJS Vol 80-A. No 4. Apr 1988.

Prospective analysis of total shoulder arthroplasty biomechanics.   RJ Friedman MD.   The American Journal of Orthopaedics. Apr 1997. p 265.

Shoulder Arthroplasty with or without Resurfacing of the Glenoid in Patients Who Have Osteoarthritis.   GM Gartsman MD   JBJS Vol 82-A. No 1. Jan 2000. p 26.

Primary Hemiarthroplasty for Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fractures.

Copeland Surface Replacement Arthroplasty of the Shoulder in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Preoperative Factors Associated with Improvements in Shoulder Function After Humeral Hemiarthroplasty.

A Comparison of Pain, Strength, Range of Motion, and Functional Outcomes After Hemiarthroplasty and Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder.

Compaction Bone-Grafting in Prosthetic Shoulder Arthroplasty.


























Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.