The aim of this study was to describe a quantitative 3D CT method to measure rotator cuff muscle volume, atrophy, and balance in healthy controls and in three pathological shoulder cohorts. In all, 102 CT scans were included in the analysis: 46 healthy, 21 cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), 18 irreparable rotator cuff tear (IRCT), and 17 primary osteoarthritis (OA). The four rotator cuff muscles were manually segmented and their volume, including intramuscular fat, was calculated. The normalized volume (NV) of each muscle was calculated by dividing muscle volume to the patient’s scapular bone volume. Muscle volume and percentage of muscle atrophy were compared between muscles and between cohorts.Aims
Methods
Patient-specific instrumentation has been shown to increase a surgeon’s precision and accuracy in placing the glenoid component in shoulder arthroplasty. There is, however, little available information about the use of patient-specific planning (PSP) tools for this operation. It is not known how these tools alter the decision-making patterns of shoulder surgeons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PSP, when compared with the use of plain radiographs or select static CT images, influences the understanding of glenoid pathology and surgical planning. A case-based survey presented surgeons with a patient’s history, physical examination, and, sequentially, radiographs, select static CT images, and PSP with a 3D imaging program. For each imaging modality, the surgeons were asked to identify the Walch classification of the glenoid and to propose the surgical treatment. The participating surgeons were grouped according to the annual volume of shoulder arthroplasties that they undertook, and responses were compared with the recommendations of two experts.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of different treatment options for glenoid loosening following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) at a minimum follow-up of two years. We retrospectively studied the records of 79 patients (19 men, 60 women; 84 shoulders) aged 70.4 years (21 to 87) treated for aseptic loosening of the glenosphere following RSA. Clinical evaluation included pre- and post-treatment active anterior elevation (AAE), external rotation, and Constant score.Aims
Patients and Methods
Scapular notching is a frequently observed radiographic phenomenon
in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), signifying impingement of
components. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect
of glenoid component size and glenosphere type on impingement-free
range of movement (ROM) for extension and internal and external
rotation in a virtual RSA model, and to determine the optimal configuration
to reduce the incidence of friction-type scapular notching. Preoperative CT scans obtained in 21 patients (three male, 18
female) with primary osteoarthritis were analyzed using modelling
software. Two concurrent factors were tested for impingement-free
ROM and translation of the centre of rotation: glenosphere diameter
(36 mm Aims
Materials and Methods
The Walch Type C dysplastic glenoid is characterized by excessive
retroversion. This anatomical study describes its morphology. A total of 29 shoulders with a dysplastic glenoid were analyzed.
CT was used to measure retroversion, inclination, height, width,
radius-of-curvature, surface area, depth, subluxation of the humeral
head and the Goutallier classification of fatty infiltration. The
severity of dysplasia and deficiency of the posterior rim of the
glenoid were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological
outcome of using an anatomical short-stem shoulder prosthesis to
treat primary osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. A total of 66 patients (67 shoulders) with a mean age of 76 years
(63 to 92) were available for clinical and radiological follow-up
at two different timepoints (T1, mean 2.6 years, Aims
Patients and Methods
Controversy about the use of an anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty
(aTSA) in young arthritic patients relates to which is the ideal
form of fixation for the glenoid component: cemented or cementless.
This study aimed to evaluate implant survival of aTSA when used
in patients aged < 60 years with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA),
and to compare the survival of cemented all-polyethylene and cementless
metal-backed glenoid components. A total of 69 consecutive aTSAs were performed in 67 patients
aged < 60 years with primary glenohumeral OA. Their mean age
at the time of surgery was 54 years (35 to 60). Of these aTSAs,
46 were undertaken using a cemented polyethylene component and 23
were undertaken using a cementless metal-backed component. The age, gender,
preoperative function, mobility, premorbid glenoid erosion, and
length of follow-up were comparable in the two groups. The patients
were reviewed clinically and radiographically at a mean of 10.3
years (5 to 12, Aims
Materials and Methods
The aim of this study was to analyze the results of reverse shoulder
arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with type 1 sequelae of a fracture
of the proximal humerus in association with rotator cuff deficiency
or severe stiffness of the shoulder. A total of 38 patients were included: 28 women and ten men. Their
mean age at the time of arthroplasty was 73 years (54 to 91). Before
the RSA, 18 patients had been treated with open reduction and internal
fixation following a fracture. A total of 22 patients had a rotator
cuff tear and 11 had severe stiffness of the shoulder with < 0°
of external rotation. The mean follow-up was 4.3 years (1.5 to 10).
The Constant score and the range of movement of the shoulder were
recorded preoperatively and at final follow-up. Preoperatively, radiographs in two planes were performed, as
well as CT or arthro-CT scans; radiographs were also performed at
final follow-up.Aims
Patients and Methods
Restoring the pre-morbid anatomy of the proximal humerus is a
goal of anatomical shoulder arthroplasty, but reliance is placed
on the surgeon’s experience and on anatomical estimations. The purpose
of this study was to present a novel method, ‘Statistical Shape
Modelling’, which accurately predicts the pre-morbid proximal humeral anatomy
and calculates the 3D geometric parameters needed to restore normal
anatomy in patients with severe degenerative osteoarthritis or a
fracture of the proximal humerus. From a database of 57 humeral CT scans 3D humeral reconstructions
were manually created. The reconstructions were used to construct
a statistical shape model (SSM), which was then tested on a second
set of 52 scans. For each humerus in the second set, 3D reconstructions
of four diaphyseal segments of varying lengths were created. These
reconstructions were chosen to mimic severe osteoarthritis, a fracture
of the surgical neck of the humerus and a proximal humeral fracture
with diaphyseal extension. The SSM was then applied to the diaphyseal
segments to see how well it predicted proximal morphology, using
the actual proximal humeral morphology for comparison.Aims
Materials and Methods
Patient-specific glenoid guides (PSGs) claim an improvement in
accuracy and reproducibility of the positioning of components in
total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The results have not yet been
confirmed in a prospective clinical trial. Our aim was to assess
whether the use of PSGs in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder
would allow accurate and reliable implantation of the glenoid component. A total of 17 patients (three men and 14 women) with a mean age
of 71 years (53 to 81) awaiting TSA were enrolled in the study.
Pre- and post-operative version and inclination of the glenoid were
measured on CT scans, using 3D planning automatic software. During
surgery, a congruent 3D-printed PSG was applied onto the glenoid
surface, thus determining the entry point and orientation of the
central guide wire used for reaming the glenoid and the introduction
of the component. Manual segmentation was performed on post-operative
CT scans to compare the planned and the actual position of the entry
point (mm) and orientation of the component (°).Aims
Patients and Methods
Osteoarthritis results in changes in the dimensions
of the glenoid. This study aimed to assess the size and radius of curvature
of arthritic glenoids. A total of 145 CT scans were analysed, performed
as part of routine pre-operative assessment before total shoulder
replacement in 91 women and 54 men. Only patients with primary osteoarthritis and
a concentric glenoid were included in the study. The CT scans underwent
three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and were analysed using dedicated
computer software. The measurements consisted of maximum superoinferior height,
anteroposterior width and a best-fit sphere radius of curvature
of the glenoid. The mean height was 40.2 mm ( With current shoulder replacement systems using a unique backside
radius of curvature for the glenoid component, there is a risk of
undertaking excessive reaming to adapt the bone to the component
resulting in sacrifice of subchondral bone or under-reaming and
instability of the component due to a ’rocking horse‘ phenomenon. Cite this article:
The indications for reverse shoulder arthroplasty
(RSA) continue to be expanded. Associated impairment of the deltoid
muscle has been considered a contraindication to its use, as function
of the RSA depends on the deltoid and impairment of the deltoid
may increase the risk of dislocation. The aim of this retrospective
study was to determine the functional outcome and risk of dislocation
following the use of an RSA in patients with impaired deltoid function.
Between 1999 and 2010, 49 patients (49 shoulders) with impairment
of the deltoid underwent RSA and were reviewed at a mean of 38 months
(12 to 142) post-operatively. There were nine post-operative complications (18%),
including two dislocations. The mean forward elevation improved
from 50° ( These results suggest that pre-operative deltoid impairment,
in certain circumstances, is not an absolute contraindication to
RSA. This form of treatment can yield reliable improvement in function
without excessive risk of post-operative dislocation. Cite this article:
