Fixed- vs. variable-angle humeral neck cut in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Variable neck-shaft angle (NSA) stemmed humeral components have been incorporated into certain implant designs to better re-create normal anatomy in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The purpose of this study was to determine if premorbid glenohumeral joint anatomy is better restored with a fixed- vs. variable-NSA prosthesis.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was performed including 50 patients with osteoarthritis indicated for primary anatomic TSA. Patients were randomized preoperatively to receive either a variable- (n = 26) or fixed-NSA (n = 24) prosthesis. Humeral neck cut in the variable-NSA group matched the patient's anatomic neck, with prosthetic NSA of 127.5°, 132.5°, and 137.5° available. Fixed-NSA cuts were made with an intramedullary guide of 132.5°. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were evaluated for specific radiographic anatomic variables: NSA, head thickness, tuberosity-to-head height, head offset, articular arc, greater tuberosity offset, and center of rotation (COR). Postoperative radiographic criteria were compared between groups.

RESULTS

No differences were found between groups in demographics or preoperative radiographic measures. When comparing average difference in preoperative and postoperative measurements in the fixed-NSA group, the humeral head offset from the humeral shaft axis significantly decreased by 1.4 mm (P = .046), and the COR moved superiorly (3.0 mm, P = .002) without significant medialization or lateralization. In the variable angle group, humeral head offset decreased but did not reach significance (1.2 mm, P = .091), and the COR also moved superiorly (2.9 mm, P < .001) without significant medialization or lateralization. All remaining radiographic parameters did not significantly change from pre- to postoperative imaging. In comparing the fixed- and variable-NSA groups' net change from the premorbid measurements, no significant differences were found in tuberosity-to-head height, head offset, or COR position in both the horizontal and vertical planes.

CONCLUSIONS

Both fixed- and variable-NSA anatomic TSA humeral components demonstrate adequate restoration of premorbid anatomy radiographically.

Higher primary stability of tuberosity fixation in reverse fracture arthroplasty with 135° than with 155° humeral inclination

BACKGROUND

Proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients are frequently treated with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and tuberosity healing improves clinical outcome and patient satisfaction. So far reverse prostheses with different humeral inclination (HI) angles have been used. However, it has not been investigated yet if the HI angle affects the primary stability of the tuberosity fixation in primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures in a biomechanical setting.

METHODS

A 4-part fracture was created in 7-paired human cadaver proximal humeri after preceding power analysis. After randomization in a pairwise fashion, reverse prostheses with either 135° (n = 7) or 155° (n = 7) were implanted. The tuberosities were reduced anatomically to the metaphysis of the prostheses and were fixed with 3 suture cerclages in a standardized technique. Tightening was performed with a cerclage tension device with 50 Newton meter (N m). Before biomechanical testing, the initial vertical and horizontal gap formation was measured. The humeri were placed in a custom-made test setup enabling internal and external rotation. Cyclic loading with a gradually increasing load magnitude was applied with a material testing machine starting with 20 N m and increasing by 5 N m after each 100th cycle until failure (>15° rotation of the tuberosities). Any motion of the tuberosities was measured with a 3-dimensional camera system.

RESULTS

Overall, the 155° group reached an average of 1460 ± 270 cycles and the 135° group of 1900 ± 271 cycles (P = .048). In contrast to the 135° group, in the 155° group, a mean initial vertical (0.3 ± 0.7 mm) and horizontal (2.7 ± 3.3 mm) gap formation could be observed before cyclic loading. After 1100 cycles, the 155° group showed increased rotation of both lesser and greater tuberosities in all 3 axes around the humeral shaft compared with the 135° group.

CONCLUSION

Primary stability of the reattached tuberosities is significantly increased, whereas rotational movements are decreased in prostheses with an anatomic HI of 135° compared with a 155° HI according to the original Grammont design. In addition, a 135° HI allows an exact anatomic reposition of the tuberosities, whereas this was not possible for the 155° design. However, transferability and clinical relevance of these biomechanical results have to be verified with clinical studies.

A systematic review of tuberosity healing and outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture according to humeral inclination of the prosthesis

BACKGROUND

Proximal humerus fractures are common in the elderly population and are often treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The purpose of this systematic review was to compare tuberosity healing and functional outcomes in patients undergoing RSA with humeral inclinations of 135°, 145°, and 155°.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed of RSA for proximal humerus fracture using Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Radiographic and functional outcome data were extracted to evaluate tuberosity healing according to humeral inclination. Analysis was also performed of healed vs. nonhealed tuberosities.

RESULTS

A total of 873 patients in 21 studies were included in the analysis. The mean age was 77.5 years (range of 58-97) and the mean follow-up was 26.2 months. Tuberosity healing was 83% in the 135° group compared with 69% in the 145° group and 66% in the 155° group (P = .030). Postoperative abduction was highest in the 155° group (P < .001). No significant difference was found in forward flexion, external rotation, or postoperative Constant score between groups. Patients with tuberosity healing demonstrated 18° higher forward flexion (P = .008) and 16° greater external rotation (P < .001) than those with unhealed tuberosities.

CONCLUSION

RSA for fracture with 135° humeral inclination is associated with higher tuberosity healing rates compared with 145° or 155°. Postoperative abduction is highest with a 155° implant, but there is no difference in in postoperative forward flexion, external rotation, or Constant score according to humeral inclination. Patients with healed tuberosities have superior postoperative forward flexion and external rotation than those with unhealed tuberosities.

Can a functional difference be detected in reverse arthroplasty with 135° versus 155° prosthesis for the treatment of rotator cuff arthropathy: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare humeral inclinations of 135° and 155° in patients undergoing primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Our hypothesis was that forward flexion would be higher in the 155° group but be associated with a higher rate of scapular notching.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 primary RSAs performed with a humeral inclination of either 135° or 155°. The prostheses were otherwise identical and a neutral glenosphere was used in all cases. Functional outcome, forward flexion, external rotation, and scapular notching were assessed at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was no difference in range of motion or functional outcome scores between the 2 groups. In the 155° group, forward flexion improved from 76° to 135° (P < .001) and external rotation remained unchanged (29° vs. 30°; P = .835). In the 135° group, postoperative forward flexion improved from 78° to 132° (P < .001) and external rotation was unchanged (28° vs. 29°; P = .814). Scapular notching was observed in 58% of cases with a 155° inclination compared with 21% with a 135° inclination (P = .009).

CONCLUSION

With a neutral glenosphere there was no difference in postoperative forward flexion or external rotation after an RSA with a humeral inclination of 135° compared with 155°. Scapular notching was reduced with the use of 135° design compared with a 155° design but persists at a rate of 21% at 2-year follow-up in the absence of a lateralized glenosphere.

The influence of humeral neck shaft angle and glenoid lateralization on range of motion in reverse shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Recent developments in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) have focused on changes in several design-related parameters, including humeral component design, to allow for easier convertibility. Alterations in humeral inclination and offset on shoulder kinematics may have a relevant influence on postoperative outcome. This study used a virtual computer simulation to evaluate the influence of humeral neck shaft angle and glenoid lateralization on range of motion in onlay design RSA.

METHODS

Three-dimensional RSA computer templating was created from computed tomography (CT) scans in 20 patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty for concentric osteoarthritis (Walch A1). Two concurrent factors were tested for impingement-free range of motion: humeral inclination (135° vs. 145°) and glenoid lateralization (0 mm vs. 5 mm).

RESULTS

Decreasing the humeral neck shaft angle demonstrated a significant increase in impingement-free range of motion. Compared to the 145° configuration, extension was increased by 42.3° (-8.5° to 73.5°), adduction by 15° (10° to 23°), and external rotation with the arm at side by 15.1° (8.5° to 26.5°); however, abduction was decreased by 6.5° (-1° to 12.5°). Glenoid lateralization led to comparable results, but an additional increase in abduction of 7.6° (-1° to 16.5°) and forward flexion of 26.6° (6.5° to 62°) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Lower humeral neck shaft angle and glenoid lateralization are effective for improvement in range of motion after RSA. The use of the 135° model with 5 mm of glenoid lateralization provided the best results in impingement-free range of motion, except for abduction.