An in vitro study of glenoid implant peripheral peg interface mechanics during eccentric loading and lift-off

Glenoid implants used in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties typically incorporate peripheral pegs as a design feature to support eccentric loads. These peripheral pegs and the implant-cement-bone interface undergo substantial cyclic tensile-compressive loads during normal activity. Therefore, these pegs are of interest in translating the micromechanics of local implant fixation failure to the biomechanics of gross anatomic failure of the glenoid implant after total shoulder arthroplasty. This study used an in vitro peg-cement-bone construct which incorporated bone tissue acquired from osteoarthritic patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty. Strain distributions in the peripheral peg-cement-bone interfaces were analyzed under loading conditions emulating glenoid implant edge displacements. It was found that tensile strains in the interfaces were highest near the backside-peg junction and were greater in magnitude than compressive strains. Notably, strains near the peg's fixation channels were relatively low. These results suggest that cracks may initiate around the peg near the backside and travel downward to cause broader fixation failure.