Modular shoulder arthroplasty

One hundred consecutive Biomet modular shoulder arthroplasties were studied prospectively and were evaluated with a minimum 2-year follow-up (average 41 months). Fifty-seven women and 43 men with an average age of 64 years were evaluated for pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, cost, and complications. Fourteen patients had undergone previous surgery to the shoulder. Seventy patients underwent total shoulder arthroplasty, and thirty underwent hemiarthroplasty. Pain and range of motion demonstrated statistically significant improvement. Eight activities of daily living were rated on a 0 to 3 scale, and all were significantly improved. Complications were noted in 18 patients and included urinary retention, pulmonary embolus, rotator cuff tear, titanium synovitis, subluxation, and dislocation. Twelve shoulders underwent secondary procedures for rotator cuff repair, open reduction, and component revision for instability. Lucent lines were present in 62.5% of glenoids, 92.3% of cemented stems, and 0% of cementless stems on postoperative radiographs. No patients underwent revision surgery for component loosening, and no cases of humeral head-stem dissociation were seen. Ninety-five shoulders were rated by the patients as improved, and five were made worse. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997;6:333-9.)