Preoperative glenoid considerations for shoulder arthroplasty: a review

Incidental findings are frequent in shoulder CT and MRI scans and increase with age

Objectives

CT and MRI scans of the shoulder can lead to the identification of incidental findings (IF), which can have a major impact on the further treatment of the patient. The aim of this retrospective study was to record the prevalence of IF, incidentalomas (IT) and malignant IT for CT and MRI examinations of the shoulder and to investigate the effect of patient characteristics on the statistical occurrence of IF, IT and malignant IT.

Materials and methods

A total of 903 shoulder examinations (415 CT, 488 MRI) were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of IF, subsequently categorized (harmless IF, IT requiring clarification, malignant IT) and analyzed regarding patient characteristics. The statistical analysis was carried out using independent t- and chi-square tests. A significance level of p < 0.05 was set.

Results

Among the 903 patients evaluated (436 female, 467 male), 153 (16.9%) patients experienced IF (harmless IF: 101 (11.2%) patients, IT: 94 (10.4%), malignant IT: 4 (0.4%). The average age of the patients without IF and IT was significantly lower compared to the patients with IF and IT (p < 0.001). While IF occurred in 31.1% of the CT, IF was only detected in 4.9% of the MRI (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

IF have a high prevalence (16.9%), especially in CT examinations of the shoulder, which increases with age. The exact detection and initiation of appropriate therapy is of great clinical importance, as early detection of life-threatening diseases enables more effective treatment and a potential gain in health and lifespan.

Determining the Normal Glenoid Version in the Indian Population

Background  Glenoid version refers to the angle subtended by the glenoid with the scapula. On average, it is 0 ± 10 degrees with a slight propensity toward retroversion. Numerous factors such the dominance(handedness), gender, ethnicity, and pathology are known to affect version. Version has important consequences on the biomechanics of the shoulder joint and is altered in those with arthritis and shoulder joint instability. Aim  Our study aimed to determine the normal range of glenoid version in the population. Further, we aim to assess the relationship between gender and version. Settings and Design  We conducted a retrospective observational study in a tertiary referral hospital with a target sample size of 200 shoulders. Methods and Materials  The computed tomography images were retrospectively reviewed to determine the scapular shape and the glenoid version angle. Statistical Analysis  Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v.22 software with p -value less than 0.05 considered as significant. Results  The mean age of the individuals in our study was 44 years. In our study, irrespective of gender, most individuals had some degree of anteversion and males had lower degree of anteversion. Previous studies have shown that most normal individuals usually have retroverted shoulder joints. The mean glenoid version was significantly lower in the right than in the left shoulder and males had significantly lower mean glenoid version than females in both shoulders. Most individuals in our study had a flat scapular spine. Conclusion  This study shows that the Indian population may have a slight propensity toward anteversion and this has an important bearing on shoulder arthroplasty. Further, this study shows that significantly lower degrees of version are found on the right side and that the degree of version is significantly lower in males. Understanding the role of glenoid version in shoulder biomechanics will go a long way in the early identification of pathology, the preoperative planning of shoulder arthroplasty, and the operative restoration of a functional shoulder joint.

Glenohumeral Dysplasia Following Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries: A Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite the high morbidity associated with glenohumeral dysplasia (GHD) in children with brachial plexus birth injuries, the progression of this condition often remains unnoticed, even after correcting for the underlying brachial plexus birth injuries. GHD, driven by a multifactorial process involving disruptions in both direct and indirect neural regulation of bony and muscular structures, can lead to intermittent or permanent shoulder mobility imbalances, significantly impacting the quality of life of those affected. Recent research efforts are increasingly directed toward identifying the root causes, managing the deformity, and determining effective treatment options for correcting GHD.

METHODS

A comprehensive search strategy was used by the authors to identify relevant literature relating to the progression, pathoanatomy, clinical presentation, and management of GHD following brachial plexus birth injuries across various search engines, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Considering the topic's interdisciplinary nature, articles were retrieved from both neurosurgical and orthopaedic journals to enrich the review.

RESULTS

Given the challenges in managing patients with brachial plexus birth injuries, a multidisciplinary care team consisting of certified occupational hand therapists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons, specializing in brachial plexus injuries should be advocated for. The aim of this collaborative effort is to correct brachial plexus birth injuries and prevent the persistence of GHD.

CONCLUSION

As research continues to focus on understanding the complexities of this condition, the aim of this review article is to summarize the current literature on the course of brachial plexus birth injury and the development of GHD. By doing so, we hope to provide neurosurgeons with the necessary knowledge and essential tools needed to identify and effectively treat GHD during management of brachial plexus birth injuries.

Rate of incidental findings on routine preoperative computed tomography for shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Incidental findings are commonly noted in advanced imaging studies. Few data exist regarding the rate of incidental findings on computed tomography (CT) for preoperative shoulder arthroplasty planning. This study aims to identify the incidence of these findings and the rate at which they warrant further work-up to help guide orthopedic surgeons in counseling patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with available preoperative shoulder CT who subsequently underwent shoulder arthroplasty procedures at a single institution between 2015 and 2021. Data including age, sex, and smoking status were obtained. Radiology reports for CTs were reviewed for incidental findings and categorized based on location, tissue type, and/or body system. The rate of incidental findings and the rate at which further follow-up was recommended by the radiologist were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 617 patients was identified. There were 173 incidental findings noted in 146 of these patients (23.7%). Findings ranged from pulmonary (59%), skin/soft tissue (16%), thyroid (13%), vascular (9%), spinal (2%), and abdominal (1%) areas. Of the pulmonary findings, 50% were pulmonary nodules and 47% were granulomatous disease. Overall, the final radiology report recommended further follow-up for 50% of the patients with incidental findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental findings are relatively common in preoperative CTs obtained for shoulder arthroplasty, occurring in nearly one-quarter of patients. Most of these findings are pulmonary in nature. Overall, half of the patients with incidental findings were recommended for further follow-up. These results establish population data to guide orthopedic surgeons in patient counseling. Level of evidence: III.

A narrative review of treatment strategies for major glenoid defects during primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty, with a focus on the use of structural bone graft

Structural glenoid defects are common during primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and are often associated with poor outcomes. The lack of pre-operative imaging protocols for determining the depth and degree of glenoid wear hinders our ability to accurately plan and correct these defects. Although bone grafting has been reported to be effective in reducing glenoid wear during RSA, there is limited information on when to utilise it and how to prepare the graft. We conducted this review to assess the evidence for the management of glenoid defects, with an emphasis on bone grafts to treat structural glenoid bone loss in primary RSA patients.

Outcomes of day case shoulder replacement surgery in a stand-alone day care unit in the United Kingdom

Background

This review aims to compare the outcomes for day case shoulder replacement with in-patient shoulder replacement surgery in a district general hospital.

Methods

Seventy-three patients had 82 shoulder arthroplasty procedures. Forty-six procedures were undertaken in a dedicated stand-alone day-case unit and 36 were undertaken as in-patient cases. Patient were followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months and annually.

Results

There was no significant difference between the outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty procedures performed in the day case or in-patient settings making this a safe option for surgical care in a unit with an appropriate care pathway. Six complications in total were observed, three in each group. Operation time was statistically shorter for day cases by 25.1 min (95% CI - 36.5 to -13.7; d = -0.95, 95% CI -1.42 to 0.48). Estimated marginal means (EMM) revealed lower post-surgery oxford pain scores in day cases (EMM = 3.25, 95% CI 2.35, 4.16) compared with inpatients (EMM = 4.65, 95% CI 3.64 to 5.67). Constant shoulder scores were higher in day cases versus inpatients.

Conclusion

Day case shoulder replacement is safe with comparable outcomes to routine inpatient care for patients up to ASA 3 classification with high satisfaction and excellent functional outcomes.

Best practice in shoulder arthroplasty-a reflective personal review

Introduction

Shoulder arthroplasty is uncommon but increasing in number when compared to hip and knee arthroplasty. The average UK shoulder surgeon performs less than 10 a year and revision surgery is even more rare. The surgeon should be familiar with surgical approaches, implant designs and preferably be fellowship trained to produce good outcomes.

Methods

Narrative review was undertaken and senior author's personal practice was discussed.

Results

The need for a clear understanding of indications and contraindications for both anatomic shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, good preoperative planning, protocol-based peri-operative management and good rehabilitation protocol in the post operative period cannot be overemphasized.

Conclusion

We are still learning best practice and prosthesis designs have changed over the past years with extensive choices especially in Reverse arthroplasty. Each of these designs has unique biomechanical properties and require a deep understanding of indications. Good surgical training and the use of multi-disciplinary team meetings for complex cases should improve the safety and quality of surgery for patients and ultimately long-term outcome of shoulder arthroplasty.

Features of reverse arthroplasty of the shoulder joint in orthopedic pathology of the glenoid (literature review)

The reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the conditions of the modified anatomy of the glenoid is complex and often excludes the possibility of using the standard tactics of installing the glenoid component. There are no identical glenoids, each articular cavity of the scapula differs in height, width, angle of inclination, density of bone tissue, absence or presence of various defects of bone tissue. Given the variety of options for changing the structure and quality of the glenoid bone tissue in injuries and diseases of the shoulder joint, each case of endoprosthetics should be considered individually. In order to perform an adequate metaglen installation, these parameters must be normalized or standardized. The purpose of this work is to review the domestic and foreign literature devoted to the features of reversible shoulder joint replacement during deformation of the articular cavity of the scapula. Based on the analysis of literature data, the percentage of complications associated with unsatisfactory treatment results due to the instability of the glenosphere is quite large, which indicates the lack of elaboration of this topic and its relevance for practical traumatology and orthopedics. The paper considers eccentric non-standard methods of rimming the articular cavity of the scapula, methods of its bone grafting, the use of metaglens made taking into account the deformation of the glenoid, as well as indications for the use of technology for the individual manufacture of scapular components. The study and analysis of indications for the use of various types of techniques for solution glenoid deformities made it possible to systematize and differentially approach the issue of preoperative planning and choosing the correct, right treatment tactics in complex cases of reversible shoulder joint replacement.

Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Incidental Findings on Preoperative 3D Planning Computed Tomography for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Introduction:

3D planning software for shoulder arthroplasty recently emerged for aiding in intraoperative determination of native glenoid. These protocols often require increased scan resolution, however, raising the question of an increased prevalence and clinical impact of incidental findings (IFs) from preoperative imaging.

Methods:

A retrospective review of preoperative shoulder CT reports was conducted for 333 consecutive patients planning anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasties. Patients with thin-sliced CT scans (1.25 mm) were compared with those with standard CT scans (2.5 mm). Poisson regression was performed with baseline characteristics and potentially pathologic IFs (PPIFs).

Results:

IFs were present in 131 of the 333 scans (39.3%), and 38 of the 333 scans (11.4%) included PPIFs. Only 8 of the 333 scans (2.4%) required workup, with 2 of the 333 (0.6%) leading to new cancer diagnoses. Thin-sliced CT scans detected a higher mean number of IFs (1.12 versus 0.22, P < 0.001) while the mean number of PPIFs remained similar (0.13 versus 0.10, P = 0.43).

Conclusion:

IFs are frequent; however, only 0.6% scans led to new cancer diagnoses. Comparison of thin-sliced with standard CT scans revealed a higher frequency of IFs but similar PPIFs, indicating increased burden of IFs without the benefit of identifying additional malignancies. As demand rises for shoulder arthroplasties, surgeons should consider the potential hidden costs of IFs when using 3D planning programs.

Dislocation Arthropathy of the Shoulder

Glenohumeral osteoarthrosis (OA) may develop after primary, recurrent shoulder dislocation or instability surgery. The incidence is reported from 12 to 62%, depending on different risk factors. The risk of severe OA of the shoulder following dislocation is 10 to 20 times greater than the average population. Risk factors include the patient’s age at the first episode of instability or instability surgery, bony lesions, and rotator cuff tears. For mild stages of OA, arthroscopic removal of intraarticular material, arthroscopic debridement, or arthroscopic arthrolysis of an internal rotation contracture might be sufficient. For severe stages, mobilization of the internal rotation contracture and arthroplasty is indicated. With an intact rotator cuff and without a bone graft, results for anatomical shoulder arthroplasty are comparable to those following primary OA. With a bone graft at the glenoidal side, the risk for implant loosening is ten times greater. For the functional outcome, the quality of the rotator cuff is more predictive than the type of the previous surgery or the preoperative external rotation contracture. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty could be justified due to the higher rate of complications and revisions of non-constrained anatomic shoulder arthroplasties reported. Satisfactory clinical and radiological results have been published with mid to long term data now available.

CT-based and morphological comparison of glenoid inclination and version angles and mineralisation distribution in human body donors

Background

For optimal prosthetic anchoring in omarthritis surgery, a differentiated knowledge on the mineralisation distribution of the glenoid is important. However, database on the mineralisation of diseased joints and potential relations with glenoid angles is limited.

Methods

Shoulder specimens from ten female and nine male body donors with an average age of 81.5 years were investigated. Using 3D-CT-multiplanar reconstruction, glenoid inclination and retroversion angles were measured, and osteoarthritis signs graded. Computed Tomography-Osteoabsorptiometry (CT-OAM) is an established method to determine the subchondral bone plate mineralisation, which has been demonstrated to serve as marker for the long-term loading history of joints. Based on mineralisation distribution mappings of healthy shoulder specimens, physiological and different CT-OAM patterns were compared with glenoid angles.

Results

Osteoarthritis grades were 0-I in 52.6% of the 3D-CT-scans, grades II-III in 34.3%, and grade IV in 13.2%, with in females twice as frequently (45%) higher grades (III, IV) than in males (22%, III). The average inclination angle was 8.4°. In glenoids with inclination ≤10°, mineralisation was predominantly centrally distributed and tended to shift more cranially when the inclination raised to > 10°. The average retroversion angle was − 5.2°. A dorsally enhanced mineralisation distribution was found in glenoids with versions from − 15.9° to + 1.7°. A predominantly centrally distributed mineralisation was accompanied by a narrower range of retroversion angles between − 10° to − 0.4°.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first to combine CT-based analyses of glenoid angles and mineralisation distribution in an elderly population. The data set is limited to 19 individuals, however, indicates that superior inclination between 0° and 10°-15°, and dorsal version ranging between − 9° to − 3° may be predominantly associated with anterior and central mineralisation patterns previously classified as physiological for the shoulder joint. The current basic research findings may serve as basic data set for future studies addressing the glenoid geometry for treatment planning in omarthritis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04660-4.