Stemless shoulder arthroplasty: a literature review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Implant Design

Background:

• Shoulder arthroplasty implants have evolved, with current modular prostheses featuring anatomical humeral stems for improved stability and mobility.
• Challenges in achieving a perfect anatomical match exist, particularly in patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis or metaphyseal deformities.
• Stem-related complications can arise, necessitating alternative implant designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the indications for stemless shoulder prostheses.
• To describe the surgical technique for stemless humeral implants.
• To present midterm clinical and radiological outcomes and complications associated with stemless shoulder arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on stemless humeral implants for shoulder arthroplasty.
• Analysis of surgical techniques, clinical results, and radiological findings.
• Evaluation of patient outcomes and complication rates.

Main Results:

• Stemless shoulder prostheses represent a novel approach in shoulder arthroplasty.
• Midterm results indicate potential for restoring shoulder function and durability.
• Complications associated with stemless designs require careful consideration.

Conclusions:

• Stemless shoulder prostheses offer a viable alternative to stemmed implants, especially when anatomical reconstruction is challenging.
• Further research is needed to fully establish long-term efficacy and safety.
• This implant design aims to mitigate stem-related complications while preserving the benefits of advanced shoulder prostheses.