Soft tissue balancing in total shoulder replacement

Experiences and outcomes in shoulder replacements in a district general hospital over 19 years

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the changing experiences of shoulder surgeons working in a district general hospital.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 395 shoulders (225 male, 170 female) over a 19-year period (2000-2019) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were analyzed. Outcome measures were length of stay, operating time, satisfaction visual analog score (VAS), pain VAS, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Constant-Murley score, range of movement, complications, and implant survival.

RESULTS

The incidence of a diagnosis of osteoarthritis as the surgical indication increased over time. The number of cases by surgeon per year increased from three cases in 2,000 to a peak of 33 in 2011. Up to seven implant manufacturers were used. The incidence of hemiarthroplasties decreased, and more numerous reverse polarity and anatomic arthroplasties were performed (P<0.001). More glenoid and humeral components were cemented and more short-stem implants were used in later years (P<0.001). Length of stay was a median of 1 day with a trend towards daytime surgery in recent years. Patients were satisfied (VAS 8/10) and OSS improved by 8 points on average throughout the observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite frequent introductions of new implants, patient outcome, satisfaction, and complication rates remained good. There appears to be a need for large-scale, generalizable studies to understand why technological advancements leading to changes in implants do not influence clinical outcomes. Level of evidence: III.

Comparison of Postoperative Anatomy Using Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Versus Soft-Tissue Balancing Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The importance of anatomic reconstruction of the proximal humerus on shoulder biomechanics and kinematics after anatomic total shoulder replacement (aTSR) has been highlighted by a number of investigations. The humeral head designs of current-generation shoulder arthroplasty emphasize either anatomic or soft-tissue balancing total shoulder arthroplasty (sbTSR) philosophies. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative anatomy of TSR systems used to treat primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

METHODS

This was a matched cohort study of 60 patients treated with either press-fit aTSR or sbTSR by two shoulder surgeons. The analysis of postoperative true AP radiographs was performed to calculate multiple representative anatomic parameters of the TSR.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed in the average measurements between the sbTSR and aTSR designs about the humeral head center offset (5.2 ± 0.4 mm versus 3.9 ± 0.3 mm; P = 0.02), implant-humeral shaft angle (0.3 ± 0.3 varus versus 1.7 ± 0.3 valgus, P < 0.001), and humeral head to tuberosity height (8.8 ± 0.4 mm versus 6.2 ± 0.4, P < 0.001), respectively. No significant difference was observed in the average measurements between the two systems' designs regarding the head-shaft angle (133.4° ± 0.8° versus 135.0° ± 1.0°, P = 0.16) and the relation of humeral head to lateral humeral cortex (0.15 ± 0.6 mm inside the lateral cortex versus 0.19 ± 0.6 outside the lateral cortex; P = 0.69), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differing design philosophies of these systems, and some notable differences, the absolute differences between the measured anatomic parameters were small and not likely clinically relevant. Anatomic and soft-tissue balancing humeral arthroplasty implants can both reliably reconstruct proximal humeral anatomy.

Automated muscle elongation measurement during reverse shoulder arthroplasty planning

BACKGROUND

Adequate deltoid and rotator cuff elongation in reverse shoulder arthroplasty is crucial to maximize postoperative functional outcomes and to avoid complications. Measurements of deltoid and rotator cuff elongation during preoperative planning can support surgeons in selecting a suitable implant design and position. Therefore, this study presented and evaluated a fully automated method for measuring deltoid and rotator cuff elongation.

METHODS

Complete scapular and humeral models were extracted from computed tomography scans of 40 subjects. First, a statistical shape model of the complete humerus was created and evaluated to identify the muscle attachment points. Next, a muscle wrapping algorithm was developed to identify the muscle paths and to compute muscle lengths and elongations after reverse shoulder arthroplasty implantation. The accuracy of the muscle attachment points and the muscle elongation measurements was evaluated for the 40 subjects by use of both complete and artificially created partial humeral models. Additionally, the muscle elongation measurements were evaluated for a set of 50 arthritic shoulder joints. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of implant positioning on deltoid and rotator cuff elongation.

RESULTS

For the complete humeral models, all muscle attachment points were identified with a median error < 3.5 mm. For the partial humeral models, the errors on the deltoid attachment point largely increased. Furthermore, all muscle elongation measurements showed an error < 1 mm for 75% of the subjects for both the complete and partial humeral models. For the arthritic shoulder joints, the errors on the muscle elongation measurements were <2 mm for 75% of the subjects. Finally, the sensitivity analysis showed that muscle elongations were affected by implant positioning.

DISCUSSION

This study presents an automated method for accurately measuring muscle elongations during preoperative planning of shoulder arthroplasty. The results show that the accuracy in measuring muscle elongations is higher than the accuracy in indicating the muscle attachment points. Hence, muscle elongation measurements are insensitive to the observed errors on the muscle attachment points. Related to this finding, muscle elongations can be accurately measured for both a complete humeral model and a partial humeral model. Because the presented method also showed accurate results for arthritic shoulder joints, it can be used during preoperative shoulder arthroplasty planning, in which typically only the proximal humerus is present in the scan and in which bone arthropathy can be present. As the muscle elongations are sensitive to implant positioning, surgeons can use the muscle elongation measurements to refine their surgical plan.

Influence of glenohumeral joint muscle insertion on moment arms using a finite element model

Accurate muscle geometry is essential to estimate moment arms in musculoskeletal models. Given the complex interactions between shoulder structures, we hypothesized that finite element (FE) modelling is suitable to obtain physiological muscle trajectory. A FE glenohumeral joint model was developed based on medical imaging. Moment arms were computed and compared to literature and MRI-based estimation. Our FE model produces moment arms consistent with the literature and with MRI data (max 17 mm differences). The inferior and superior fibres of a same muscle can have opposite action; predictions of moment arms are sensitive to muscle insertion (up to 20 mm variation).

Anatomical and biomechanical framework for shoulder arthroplasty rehabilitation

This article provides an anatomical and biomechanical framework for the postoperative management and progression of treatment for shoulder arthroplasty. The clinical relevance of normal shoulder anatomy, biomechanics, and pathomechanics related to this surgery is emphasized to provide the reader with an understanding of the rationale for treatment. We review the rehabilitation implications of surgical indications and technique for both traditional total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty procedures with an emphasis on biomechanical considerations. Relevant factors that affect rehabilitation outcomes are discussed along with supporting evidence from the literature. Principles to guide and progress treatment are highlighted with a discussion on return to sports with the ultimate objective of providing a comprehensive approach for successful rehabilitation.