Torsional stability of modular and non-modular reverse shoulder humeral components in a proximal humeral bone loss...

Patients who are treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the setting of proximal humeral bone loss present a technical challenge for humeral component fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of proximal humeral bone loss on fixation of reverse shoulder humeral implants.

Three reverse humeral designs (two modular and one monobloc) were cemented into twenty-four Sawbones humeri prepared to simulate intact and proximal humeral bone loss. Torque was applied to the humerus for 1,000 cycles in increments of 2.5 N-m to 25 N-m. Rotational micromotion of the implant was measured.

There was a significant decrease in rotational micromotion in the intact constructs when compared with the bone loss constructs (we found P < .01 when looking at torsion levels of 5 to 17.5 N-m). In the intact humerus, 10 of 12 implant constructs survived testing. The 2 that failed were modular implants. In the bone loss setting, 7 of 12 implant constructs survived testing. The 5 that failed were also modular implants.

This is the first investigation on humeral component fixation in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The proximal humerus adds stability to the fixation of a cemented humeral implant. Modular components in the presence of proximal humeral bone loss may be at increased risk of mechanical failure. Conversely, non-modular cemented humeral components can withstand greater loads before failure.