Outcomes of ream and run shoulder arthroplasty with a stemless humeral component

Diaphyseal engaging standard-length stems are commonly used for the ream-and-run (RnR) procedure. Stemless humeral components have grown in popularity and preserve metaphyseal bone while shortening operative times. No studies have yet reported on clinical outcomes of RnR using a stemless humeral component.

All patients undergoing RnR with a stemless humeral component at a single institution between January 2017 and May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative radiographs were assessed for Walch Classification, glenoid version, and posterior humeral head decentering. Glenoid version and posterior humeral head decentering were assessed on three months postoperative radiographs and clinical outcomes were assessed at minimum 2 years postoperatively.

Eighteen shoulders among 17 patients were included; 15 (88%) returned to exercise at a median of 16 weeks. Minimum 2-year outcome scores showed a mean Visual Analog Scale of 2.5, American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons score of 79.6, Simple Shoulder Test of 9.9, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score of 80. Radiographically, corrective humeral head recentering within 5% was observed in 64% of cases.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes suggest that stemless implants may yield comparable patient-reported outcomes to stemmed implants with advantages of preserved bone stock and shorter operative times.