Cementless shoulder surface replacement with glenoid levelling in posttraumatic glenohumeral arthritis

ABSTRACT

Degenerative glenohumeral arthritis is a possible complication after traumatic glenohumeral dislocation. Shoulder surface replacement arthroplasty has been established for several decades as a mean to restore comfort and function of the shoulder for many afflictions that derange the normal anatomy. The surface replacement may offer some advantages over the stemmed prostheses. We encountered a case with glenohumeral arthritis following neglected fracture dislocation of the shoulder. Copeland cementless surface replacement together with glenoid levelling was done. Six months postoperatively the constant score was markedly improved [82 points]. The patient showed complete relief of pain with marked improvement of the range of movement of the shoulder. The early results in this patient with the use of Copeland cementless surface replacement for treatment of posttraumatic glenohumeral arthritis together with levelling of the glenoid surface were encouraging. The levelling of the glenoid facilitates the smooth gliding of the prosthesis which in turn improves the range of motion and avoids the replacement of the glenoid with its high risk of future loosening. More cases with longer follow-up to document these findings are necessary