Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Case Report: Custom made 3D implants for glenoid tumor reconstruction should be designed as reverse total shoulder
Robin Evrard1,2, Antoine Ledoux2, Pierre-Louis Docquier1,2
1Neuro Musculo-Skeletal Lab, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Background And Objectives:
Isolated bone tumors of the glenoid are exceedingly rare occurrence and pose a substantial surgical challenge. 3D printing technology has been proved to be a reliable tool to reconstruct complex anatomical part of the skeleton. We initially used this technology to reconstruct the glenoid component of the shoulder in a hemiarthroplasty configuration. We subsequently changed to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
Methods:
Two patients were reconstructed with a hemiarthroplasty and 2 with a reverse configuration. Patients files were reviewed for radiographic analysis, pain and function scores.
Results:
Mean follow-up was 36.44 ± 16.27 months. All patients are alive and disease free. The two patients who benefitted from a hemiarthroplasty demonstrated a rapid deterioration of the proximal humeral articular surface. Given their pain and function scores, they subsequently required revision towards a total shoulder arthroplasty. Following this conversion, one patient presented a shoulder dislocation requiring surgical reintervention. We did not observe any loosening or infection in this short series.
Conclusions:
Custom made glenoid reconstruction should be designed as a reverse shoulder arthroplasty given the mechanical constrains on the proximal humerus and the extent of the surgery invariably damaging the suprascapular neurovascular bundle.
