Modular total shoulder system with short stem. A prospective clinical and radiological analysis

Between 1994 and 2001, a short-stemmed modular shoulder prosthesis was inserted in 62 shoulders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthrosis (OA). We reviewed 53 patients with 60 shoulders (45 RA/15 OA) with at least 24 months follow-up. In 22 shoulders, we used a total shoulder prosthesis including a glenoid polyethylene component, whereas 38 shoulders only had a humeral component. In six shoulders, the humeral component was cemented. The average follow-up was 47 (24-99) months. There were no intraoperative complications but one wound infection and one patient with proximal migration of the humeral component. Hospital for Special Surgery Score increased from 44(19-72) to 63 (21-93) points and Shoulder Function Assessment score (SFA) from 24 (12-46) to 42 (11-66)points. The VAS score for pain at rest improved from 4.3 to 1.9. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines were seen adjacent to nine glenoid and one humeral components. Fifty-six patients were satisfied with the result.