The purpose of this study is to report the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients undergoing primary or revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using custom 3D printed components to manage severe glenoid bone loss with a minimum of 2-year follow-up.

After ethical approval (reference: 17/YH/0318), patients were identified and invited to participate in this observational study. Inclusion criteria included: 1) severe glenoid bone loss necessitating the need for custom implants; 2) patients with definitive glenoid and humeral components implanted more than 2 years prior; 3) ability to comply with patient reported outcome questionnaires. After seeking consent, included patients underwent clinical assessment utilising the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Constant-Murley score, American Shoulder and Elbow Society Score (ASES), and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (quickDASH). Radiographic assessment included AP and axial projections. Patients were invited to attend a CT scan to confirm osseointegration. Statistical analysis utilised included descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and paired t test for parametric data.

3 patients had revision surgery prior to the 2-year follow-up. Of these, 2/3 retained their custom glenoid components. 4 patients declined to participate. 5 patients were deceased at the time of commencement of the study. 21 patients were included in this analysis. The mean follow-up was 36.1 months from surgery (range 22–60.2 months). OSS improved from a mean 16 (SD 9.1) to 36 (SD 11.5) (p < 0.001). Constant-Murley score improved from mean 9 (SD 9.2) to 50 (SD 16.4) (p < 0.001). QuickDASH improved from mean 67 (SD 24) to 26 (SD 27.2) (p = 0.004). ASES improved from mean 28 (SD 24.8) to 70 (SD 23.9) (p = 0.007). Radiographic evaluation demonstrated good osseointegration in all 21 included patients.

The utility of custom 3D-printed components for managing severe glenoid bone loss in primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty yields significant clinical improvements in this complex patient cohort.

Introduction

Despite the positive outcomes in shoulder joint replacements in the last two decades, polyethylene wear debris in metal-on-polyethylene artificial shoulder joints is well-known as a limitation in the long-term survival of shoulder arthroplasties systems. Consequently, there is an interest in the use of novel materials as an alternative to hard bearing surfaces such as pyrolytic carbon layer (PyroCarbon).

Aims

We present our experience of using a metal-backed prosthesis and autologous bone graft to treat gross glenoid bone deficiency.

Our aim was to accurately determine whether muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration are reversible following cuff repair. Patients with a repairable cuff-tear were recruited and assessed clinically and radiologically (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). At surgery, supraspinatus was biopsied. Post-operatively, patients underwent clinical evaluation at standardised intervals, with further MRI and an ultrasound guided biopsy of supraspinatus at 12 months.

MRI was used to characterize cuff-tears and determine the degree of muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Biopsy samples were fixed on-site and transported for processing. Morphometric assessments of myofibres were made and mean cross-sectional areas calculated using validated techniques. The pathologist was blinded to sample details. Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences in mean myofibre area following cuff repair and correlated with radiological findings.

Eight patients were available for completed histological and radiological analysis. Six (two re-tears) demonstrated sizeable and highly statistically significant improvements in mean myofibre cross-sectional area (P=0.000–0.0253). Of the two not showing any increase in myofibre area, neither result was statistically significant (P=0.06, 0.2); one was a re-tear and one was a repair of a partial-thickness tear. Radiologically, the muscle and fatty changes had not demonstrably changed.

Our finding that myofibre cross-sectional area increases following cuff repair suggests muscle atrophy is a potentially reversible process. Even with re-tears, improvements were seen. MRI features of fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy were not seen to improve however. It is likely that radiological assessment is not sensitive enough to demonstrate the reversibility of muscle atrophy seen on histological analysis at one year.

One hundred and sixty-two patients with a diagnosis of scapholunate instability underwent a modified Brunelli procedure over a 7 year period. One hundred and seventeen were assessed with the help of a questionnaire and, of these, 55 patients attended for clinical evaluation. The mean follow-up was 4 (1-8) years. There were 72 patients with dynamic scapholunate instability and 45 patients with static instability. The average age was 38 years. There were 50 males and 67 females. 77 (62%) patients had no to mild pain with a mean visual analogue score of 3.67 (SD=2.5)). The loss in the arc of flexion-extension was due to a reduced range of flexion (mean 31% loss), while 80% of extension was maintained, compared with the contralateral side. The grip strength on the operated side was reduced by 20% of the non-operated side. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the range of movement or the grip strength between the static and dynamic group or the claims and non-claims group. Ninety (79%) patients were satisfied with the result of the surgery (good to excellent) and 88% of the patients felt that they would have the same surgery again. We feel that these results compare favourably with the early results published from this unit and recommend this procedure for dynamic and static scapholunate instability

Between 1994 and 2002, 81 patients underwent ulnohumeral arthroplasty for elbow arthritis at our institution. All patients were sent a questionnaire with a request to attend for a clinical evaluation. Forty replied and 34 attended for clinical examination, 6 females and 34 males with an average age of 63 years (32-80) and a mean follow-up of 6 years (2-10). There were 22 (55%) patients with primary osteoarthritis, 14 (35%) with osteoarthritis secondary to trauma, two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and one patient each with arthrogryphosis multiplex congenital and post-septic arthritis of the elbow.

Using the VAS (0-10), the pain score was seen to improve from a mean pre-operative score of 8 (6-10) to 4 (0-9). 21 patients (50%) were on minimal or no analgesia and 31 (75%) patients felt they would have the surgery again for the same problem. The arc of motion as regards flexion/extension was found to increase by 19% while prono-supination was found to increase by 30%. There was one patient each with superficial infection, anterior interosseous nerve neuropathy and myositic ossificans while two patients had triceps rupture. Radiological examination showed that in 12 cases the trephine hole was partially obliterated while in 4 cases it was completely obliterated. This could not be correlated clinically. Patients with loose bodies seemed to do better in the post-operative phase.

Ulnohumeral arthroplasty has a role in the management of the arthritic elbow as it provides pain relief in the post-operative period; however, the improvement in the range of movement is limited particularly as regards the arc of extension.

The treatment of patients with arthritis of the glenohumeral joint with an associated massive irreparable cuff tear is challenging. Since these patients usually have proximal migration of the humerus, the CTA extended head allows a surface with a low coefficient of friction to articulate with the acromion.

Between 2001 and 2006 a total of 48 patients with arthritis of the shoulder joint associated with a massive cuff tear, were treated with a CTA head. The indications for use being Seebauer Type 1a and 1b appearances on x-ray and active abduction of the arm to more than 60° with appropriate analgesia. Preoperatively, a Constant score and an ASES pain and function score were completed as well as standard radiological assessment. These were repeated at follow up. Paired t tests were carried out for all the variables. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed.

Follow up varied between 2 and 8 years. Improvements in pain, function and all movement parameters were significant at p< 0.001. There was no change in the strength component. Survival analysis showed 94% survival at 8 years (95% CL 8%) there were 2 revisions and 5 deaths. Radiological assessment at follow up revealed no evidence of humeral stem loosening. In 5 (17%) cases however there was evidence of erosion in the surface of the acromion and in 13 (45%) erosion of the glenoid. Finally one component was also seen to have subluxed anteriorly.

This head design has been in use for a number of years. To date there appears to be no reported outcome of their use. This series shows that in an appropriately selected patient a satisfactory clinical outcome can be maintained in the short to medium term. The presence of erosion of the glenoid but also the under surface of the acromion does require continuing monitoring.

To compare the effect of standard non-offset and offset humeral heads on early glenoid loosening. From 2002–2004 in a prospective study, 12 patients with osteoarthritis and intact rotator cuff had a TSR with an offset humeral head matching normal anatomy. Five tantalum markers were introduced into the scapula and acromion, spaced widely apart; four markers were placed in a pegged glenoid component. RSA radiographs were taken postoperatively, three, six, twelve months. The micromotion of this offset head group was compared with a baseline series of TSRs with standard non offset humeral head implants which had previously been measured over 24 months. At 24 months, the largest segment translation for the offset head group was in the anterior/posterior direction with a mean of 0.24mm, the standard head group mean was 0.61mm, t=1.3,P=0.21. Proximal/distal translation gave means of 0.51mm (standard head) and 0.17mm (offset head), t=1.3,P=0.21. Medial/lateral translation was smallest for the offset group with mean 0.16mm this is less than half the standard group mean 0.57mm and is significant, t=1.4,P=0.19. The largest rotation was anteversion/retroversion with a mean of 1.50 (offset) compared to 4.40 (standard), t=2.3, P=0.04. Varus/valgus tilt differed significantly with means 0.90 (offset) and 2.50 (standard), t=3.8,P=0.001; and finally anterior/posterior tilt had smallest means of 0.70 (offset) and 1.00 (standard), t=1.2,P=0.25. Maximum total point motion was also significantly different at 24 months, means of 0.66mm (offset) compared to 1.65mm (standard), t=2.3,P=0.04. Early migration occurs in both groups of pegged components. A principal component micromotion index illustrates the complexity of micromotion. Offset heads move significantly less than the standard type, the significant differences in MTPM movement and in rotation (varus/valgus tilt) suggest that the offset head may decrease eccentric loading

We present the early results of 36 primary total elbow arthroplasties using the Acclaim prosthesis. The Acclaim prosthesis was used in 46 primary total elbow arthroplasties between July 2000 and August 2002. All operations were performed or directly supervised by the two senior authors (IAT and JKS). There were 32 females and 14 males. The mean age at surgery was 64 years (range, 34–93). The underlying pathology was rheumatoid arthritis in 39, osteoarthritis in five and post-traumatic arthritis in two. The early results of 36 cases are presented at a minimum follow-up of two years. Patients were assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons patient self assessment form and the range of movement of the elbow measured. The Wrightington method was used for radiographic analysis of lucencies. There was good relief of pain and range of movement improved. The mean preoperative pain score was 8.1 and decreased to 2.1 at latest follow up. The mean disability score increased from 34.2 to 66.1. The mean overall satisfaction rating following surgery was 9.3 on a visual analogue scale from zero to ten. The mean range of flexion increased from 83^oto105^o. The mean flexion gain was just over 10^o and the mean extension gain was just over 12^o. There were 11 cases of intraoperative fracture of the humeral condyle. One of these fractures failed to unite and required revision to a linked prosthesis because of persistent instability. There was one case of deep infection. There were three cases of ulnar neuropathy, one of which resolved. There was no evidence of loosening. The Acclaim total elbow arthroplasty gives good symptomatic relief and improvement in function according to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons patient self assessment form. These early results are encouraging but the frequency of intra-operative fractures is of some concern.

We report our experience of revision shoulder arthroplasty at Wrightington Hospital. Thirty-Nine patients had undergone revision surgery and followed up for a minimum of two years. Patients were scored using the Constant score and the ASES score pre-operatively and post operatively. All patients had X-ray evaluation for loosening and migration. Of the thirty-nine patients, 16 were failed humeral head replacement (HHR) and 16 were failed total shoulder replacement (TSR). All but two of the HHR were revised for glenoid erosion to a TSR, there was an equal proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Of the 16 patients undergoing revision surgery for failed TSR 6 were rheumatoid, 4 had osteoarthritis and 5 had posttraumatic arthritis. The main reasons for revision include glenoid loosening (7) instability (4) and peri-prosthetic fracture (2). The average constant scores post operatively for HHR and TSR were 35.5 (sd+/− 21.1) and 29.1 (sd+/− 12.1) respectively. The average ASES scores for HHR and TSR were 60.5(sd +/ 27.8) and 50.1(sd +/− 22.0) respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in respect to the constant scores (p value 0.18) or ASES scores (p value 0.16). Overall, the pain relief was good post operatively following both HHR and TSR. The mean visual analogue score for pain following HHR was 3.2 and following TSR 3.5. Range of movement, function and strength was poor following both HHR and TSR.

HHR fail in a predictable way and can be revised with conversion to a TSR. TSR fail in a variety of ways and there revision surgery is demanding and complex. Both types of revision offer good pain relief but poor function.

To measure any observed migration and rotation of humeral and ulnar components using radiostereometric analysis. From 2002–2004 in a prospective ongoing study, twelve elbows in patients treated with either a linked or unlinked Acclaim total elbow prosthesis were included in a radiostereometry study. Six tantalum markers were introduced into the humerus another three markers were located on a humeral component. Four markers were placed in to ulna and three markers located on the ulnar component. RSA radiographs were taken postoperatively, six, twelve and twenty-four months. The radiographs were digitised and analysed using UmRSA software. The relative movement of the humeral and ulnar implants with respect to the bone was measured. At twelve months, the largest segment translation of the humeral component was in the anterior/posterior direction with a mean of 0.44mm followed by medial/lateral translation of 0.39 mm; there was minimal proximal/ distal translation or with a mean of 0.16mm. Paired t-tests between twelve and 24 months segment translation data showed the mean differences to be no more than 0.056mm. The largest rotation at twelve months was anteversion/retroversion with a mean of 2.40deg, anterior tilt had a mean of 1.20deg and varus/valgus tilt was minimal mean 0.60deg. Mean difference between twelve and 24 months segment rotation was no more than 0.30deg. In contrast, humeral tip motion produced a mean of 1.1mm at 12 months dominated by movement in the plane horizontal plane with a mean difference at 24 months of 0.06mm. No patients could be measured for segment micromotion of the ulnar component due to technical difficulty in visualising tantalum markers in the ulna. Early micromotion of the Acclaim humeral implant occurs mostly by rotation about the vertical axis accompanied by anterior tilt. This motion reaches a plateau at 12 months after operation.

Although few published papers assess the results of revision total shoulder replacement for painful hemi-arthroplasty with a functional rotator cuff, surgical outcome is accepted as being poor. Our experience suggests that results are poor if a well-fixed humeral stem is revised to correct version, and if a non-functional rotator cuff is not alternatively managed. We identified fifteen patients with painful hemi-arthroplasty and a suspected functional rotator cuff that underwent revision total shoulder replacement at Wrightington hospital over a ten year period. The aetiology comprised osteoarthritis (seven), inflammatory arthritis (five), trauma (two) and avascular necrosis (one). The average time interval to revision surgery was 44.5 months. Humeral head size was up-sized in two and down-sized in seven cases at revision surgery. Three cases underwent iliac crest autografting for glenoid deficiency. Four cases underwent humeral stem revision for incorrect version. The average surgical time for primary total shoulder replacement at Wrightington hospital is 80 minutes while the average time for these revision total shoulder replacements was 105 minutes. Four patients had an unsatisfactory outcome according to Neer’s criteria due to an intra-operative greater tuberosity fracture (one), an intra-operative humeral shaft fracture (one) and a non-functional rotator cuff (two), one of which was revised to an extended head prosthesis with good outcome. Surgical time for revision and primary total shoulder replacement did not differ significantly if humeral stem revision or glenoid augmentation was not indicated. Oversized humeral head components may cause pain due to overstuffing the joint and soft tissues. Revision total shoulder replacement for hemi-arthroplasty with incorrect prosthetic version cannot guarantee an improved outcome. Significant glenoid deficiencies can be effectively managed by iliac crest bone grafting at revision total shoulder replacement. Rotator cuff deficient patients should be managed with alternative prostheses.

Purpose of Study: To compare the mechanical performance of two commonly used arthroscopic slip knots with that of a hand tied control.

Methods: The arthroscopic slip knots assessed were the Duncan Loop (DL) and the Tautline Hitch (TLH), both of which were tied with arthroscopic knot pushers and secured with Three Reversing Hitches on Alternating Posts (RHAPs). These were compared with four hand tied throws of a squre knot. All three knots were tied using three different materials: number two Ethibond, number one PDS and number two Fiberwire. All knots were tied in a close loop configuration between two metal bars mounted on an Instron materials testing device and pulled apart to both clinical and ultimate failure. Clinical failure was defined as the force in Newtons (N) required to increase loop length by three millimetres, which equtes in vivo with a critical loss in apposition of repaired tissues. Ultimate failure was defined as the force in N resulting in complete slippage or breakage of the knot being tested. This study was different than those before it in that a much larger number of each knot/suture permutation was tested (thirty in each case) to give the study sufficient power to detect significant differences between the knots tested.

Results and Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is our recommendation that an arthroscopic TLH slip knot secured with three RHAPs and tied using a number two Fiberwire suture be used to produce shoulder repairs that are equivalent if not superior to those achieved using open hand tied methods.

Objective: To determine if the anatomical location of a tendon (hand or forearm) influences fibroblast function in the presence of physical forces.

Introduction Tendons are anatomical structures specialized to transmit high tensile loads from muscle to bone. When damaged, clinical recovery is slow and incomplete. Various authors have shown that application of tensile loading during recovery (such as in early active motion following hand flexor tendon repair) will accelerate the recovery of tensile strength. The mechanism is unknown and the optimum loading regime has not been quantitated. It is likely that similar influences are working in rheumatoid arthritis but there is clinical evidence that the response to applied load is very different. In this study a commercial system (Bio stretch) was used to apply different strain regimes to cells in culture, and then to assess the response by a series of quantitative methodologies

Materials Cells were obtained by the explant technique from tendons of the hand and forearm to generate confluent cultures. In this experiment fibroblasts cultured from intra-synovial tendons (Group 1)were compared with cultured fibroblasts of forearm tendons (Group II). We used the Biostretch Apparatus (ICCT Technologies Canada), to stretch fibroblasts in a gel foam (Helistat, Integra TM ) construct. The Biostretch apparatus uses a magnetic field to stretch cells within the gel foam. After seeding the gel foam pieces (1cm2) with a concentrated cell suspension (4 x105 cells/100 μlitre) , the apparatus was used at 40% stretch, with a burst time of 15 minutes and a rest time of 45 minutes at 37° C and 60 cycles a second for 24 hours. The experiment was performed in triplicate for both type of cells (Group I & II), with another group of cells serving as controls. At the end of 24 hours the BCA method was used to estimate Total Protein content while the Sircol method was used to determine Type 1 Collagen levels.

Results: Preliminary results indicate that there is a trend towards increased secretion of proteins and collagen in the stretched samples compared to the controls. Similarly the fibroblasts obtained from intra-synovial tendons seemed to produce more total protein and collagen as compared to the forearm. However both these observations failed to reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: Previous work (Evans CE et al. 2001) has shown no difference between collagen and protein production between flexor and extensor tendon, even under strain,. In this study the increased production of matrix proteins and collagen under the influence of physical strain may explain why flexor tendon injuries in the hand tend to heal with the formation of adhesions and poor functional results as compared with the forearm where the results tend to be uniformly better. However it must be stressed that these are preliminary results and further work will be required to provide definitive data.

Introduction and Aims: The aim was to assess the efficacy of current arthroscopic knotting techniques with commonly used suture materials.

Method: A Hounsfield tensiometer with 1000N load cell, strain rate 25mm/min, bar separation of 7.5mm under standard temperature and pressure was used. Suture materials used, 2 Ethibond, 1 PDS and 1 Panacryl. The knotting techniques compared were the Tennessee slider, Tautline hitch, Duncan Loop, SMC knot and Surgeon’s knot. Two surgeons tied each 10 times using a suture passer and standardised knot technique. Each knot was tested to failure on 10 sequential experiments. Suture material strength was tested in isolation, tested to failure using the different knots then repeated after suture immersion in normal (0.9%) saline.

Results: Ultimate strength of the suture material and the knotting techniques were assessed. The mode of failure, slip or suture material fracture was also investigated. The 2 Ethibond had higher ultimate strength than either 1 PDS or 1 Panacryl. The Tautline hitch and Surgeon’s knot had significantly lower slip rates, with superior internal security than the other knotting techniques (P less than 0.002). The Tennessee slider, Duncan Loop and SMC knots had low security and slipped in more than 50 percent of experiments. There was no difference after saline soaking. The number of additional half hitches required for maximum knot holding capacity was consistently three, confirming previous findings.

Conclusion: The Tautline hitch is recommended due to internal security, tying characteristics and overall knot strength. Whichever knot is selected, three additional alternating half hitches to obtain consistent security is strongly supported.

Aim: Patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis who were managed with ipsilateral shoulder and elbow arthroplasties were reviewed to determine appropriate sequence of surgery, operative technique and the functional outcome.

Methods: Between 1992 and 2002, twenty-two patients underwent ipsilateral elbow and shoulder arthroplasties. Nineteen patients were available for final review. Clinical and radiological assessments were done on these patients.

Results: Twenty-four upper limbs in nineteen patients were reviewed. Mean age at final follow-up was 61.1 years (49.9 to 73.3yrs; SD 8.2). Mean duration of follow-up from the last operation was 55.5 months (12 to 129.3m; SD 33.5). The average interval between the operations was 40.1 months; it was 41.2 months when elbow operated first and 38.7 months when shoulder was operated first. This difference was not significant (p=0.82). All movements showed significant improvement after respective joint replacements. There was a significantly greater improvement in external rotation of the shoulder when it was operated first (p=0.48). The average improvement in Constant-Murley scores was 28.8 points; with no statistically significant difference between either sequence of operations (p=0.49). However, there was statistically significant improvement in the average Mayo elbow performance score after the elbow arthroplasty when it was operated first (p=0.03).

Two patients needed conversion of shoulder hemi-arthroplasty to total shoulder replacement due to subsequent erosion of the glenoid. One elbow replacement was revised because of recurrent dislocations. There were four patients who developed ulnar neuropathy, of which two were permanent. There were no peri-prosthetic fractures in this series. One patient needed custom-made short-stemmed shoulder prosthesis due to the presence of a long-stemmed humeral component of total elbow prosthesis in situ.

Conclusion: Ipsilateral shoulder and elbow replacements significantly improve pain and function of the limb, when there is advanced arthritis. The joint that appears clinically and radiologically worse should be replaced first. However if both the joints are equally involved we feel that elbow should be replaced first as the functional improvement seems to be better. Careful preoperative planning is required in choosing the type and size of prosthesis, to avoid potential complications.

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of impaction bone grafting for the restoration of glenoid bone stock in revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods There was significant osteolysis around the glenoid component in four rheumatoid patients who underwent revision shoulder arthroplasty using this technique. The criteria was a contained or containable defect. Femoral head allograft and iliac crest autograft harvested at the time of revision were used. Pre and post-operative radiographs, tomograms and fluoroscopic views aided in bone-stock analysis. Images were analysed for osteolysis, graft survival, incorporation and component loosening. Patients were followed using Constant-Murley scoring pre-operatively, and at a minimum of 12 months. The average patient age was 56 years (range 42 to 76), with three females and one male patient.

Results Glenoid component survivorship pre-revision averaged 9.5 years (range 8 to 12). The pre-operative Constant-Murley average was 11 (range 4 to 20) versus 64 post-operatively, a significant improvement over an average follow-up of 19.5 months (range 12 to 40). Radiological assessment demonstrated all grafts had incorporated with minimal subsidence and no radio-lucency at the graft-bone interface. Two of the glenoid components demonstrated static lucency at the component-graft interface, but no component movement on serial x-rays. In both patients the significant improvement in functional was maintained.

Conclusions To our knowledge this technique has not been described in glenoid component revision. It successfully provided bone for glenoid component insertion. This would not have been possible using standard techniques. The early results for this technique are encouraging and justify the continued application and follow-up of glenoid impaction grafting.

87 patients (51 male, 36 female; mean age 57, range 30 to 82) underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression (SAD) and were followed up for one year. We calculated the ASES, the Constant, the DASH Disability/ Symptom, and the SF-36 Physical Function scores.

All the scores improved throughout the follow-up period, although the SF36 score showed less marked improvement. Comparing the preoperative and one year values there were significant improvements at one year (p < 0.001) for the three upper-limb-specific scoring systems (ASES, Constant and DASH), and for the SF36, but less so (p = 0.001). Comparing the 6 months and one year scores there were significant improvements in the ASES, Constant and DASH scores, but not in the SF36 score. This suggests that improvement may still be continuing at one year.

No significant differences in the postoperative scores for the four acromion operative appearance groups (normal, minor scuffing, marked damage, bare bone areas) were found, or for the operative cuff appearance groups (normal, minor scuffing, partial tear, full thickness tear, massive cuff tear).

We also asked for the patients’ assessment of their outcome at one year, using a satisfaction visual analogue scale (VAS), and two category selection questions relating to satisfaction and to perceived room for further improvement respectively. Patients were coded as successes or failures on their responses to the VAS and the two questions. There seems to be an association with cuff appearance and success or failure as determined by the response to the room for improvement question. More specifically, this difference seems to be due the infraspinatus. A normal infraspinatus is associated with a successful outcome as perceived by the patient.

In conclusion, with SAD recovery may not be complete at one year. The three limb-specific scores are equally useful in monitoring progress, whereas the more general SF36 score is less useful. The state of the acromion or cuff does not have an effect on outcome as measured by the commonly used scores. The appearance of the infraspinatus may be predictive of success as measured by the patient.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the reason for failure of shoulder arthroplasties performed for osteoarthritis, looking specifically at factors associated with either hemi or total shoulder replacement.

Over an eight-year period over 80 consecutive patients undergoing a Global hemi-arthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty were looked at. All patients underwent at least two years of follow up. All patients were assessed pre and post operatively using the Constant and ASES scoring systems. A bio-engineer or physiotherapist performed these evaluations. X-rays were analysed for demarcation, loosening and glenoid erosion. Failure was defined as the need for revision surgery. Reasons for revision were predominately pain, loosening and instability. In these instances the differences between hemi and total joint arthroplasty were recorded. A distinct pattern was present with several early revisions being performed for continuing pain in the patient group who underwent hemi-arthroplasty.

In conclusion, this study supports total shoulder replacement as the operation of choice, in suitable patients, as compared to hemi-arthroplasty. This would appear to reduce the risk of the need for early revision on account of pain. This must be weighed against the potential for late glenoid loosening.

The composition and morphology of the glenoid are integral to the support of a glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). This study was performed to identify the morphology of glenoid cavity in pre and post replacements in a cadaveric model.

Eleven normal cadaveric shoulders (Right – 5, Left – 6) were dissected down to the bone such that the glenoid labrum was left intact. Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning at 0.5 mm thickness was performed on each of the specimens in a standardised fashion to evaluate the morphology of the glenoid and glenoid medullary cavity. CT scanning was repeated after a mixture of cemented pegged and keeled glenoid components were inserted into all the specimens using standard instrumentation.

Five reproducible lengths (Body width), Posterior wall length, Anterior Wall length. Glenoid body length and corrected body width) and the retroversion angle of the glenoid were identified on the CT scans. These measurements were taken at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the height of each glenoid both pre and post replacements. Further post glenoid replacement CT scans were analysed for cement-fill of the glenoid cavity and cortical encroachment of the prosthesis.

There was significant correlation of all the measurements including the retroversion angle between the pre and post glenoid replacements at all levels. All but one pegged prosthesis had insufficient cement mantle or critical penetration or abutment at one of the pegs at least. Most often the penetration or cortical abutment was along the posterior wall. All keeled prosthesis had a sufficient cement mantle all around.

The designs of the glenoid prosthesis were satisfactory with some respects like radius of curvature, size and to a certain degree the shape. The margin of error for insertion of the pegged prosthesis was very narrow. Design changes are required in the glenoid component for better bony fixation.