Early outcomes of augmented glenoid components in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review

The objective was to evaluate the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes following augmented anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with posterior glenoid deficiency.

An electronic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed identified studies reporting clinical and radiographic outcomes following augmented anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty among patients with posterior glenoid deficiency.

Nine studies including 312 shoulders underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty using an augmented glenoid implant between 2015 and 2020. A statistically significant improvement in range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant, University of California - Los Angeles and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores was demonstrated at mean follow-up of 37.1 months. Glenoid retroversion improved from 21.8° to 9.5°. At final follow-up, radiolucency was reported in 35.1% of shoulders. The 16° full-wedge augment led to higher and more severe radiographic lucency, while high peg perforation rates (44%) were observed among 5-mm augment stepped implants. The overall rate of complication was 2.6%. Rate of revision surgery was 1.9%.

Overall, early- to mid-term outcomes following augmented anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty for posterior glenoid deficiency demonstrate good to excellent overall clinical results. More radiographic and clinical failures were reported in larger full wedge (16°) augments and stepped augments (5 mm). Prospective studies examining mid- and long-term outcomes will help further elucidate safety and efficacy of these relatively new implants.