RESEARCH & ARTICLES

Humeral Head Arthroplasty and Meniscal Allograft Resurfacing of the Glenoid

Purpose: To report the survivorship, mid-term clinical findings and radiographic results of a previously described surgical technique for glenohumeral arthritis.

Summary:

• Lateral meniscus allograft used to resurface the glenoid in conjunction with uncemented humeral head arthroplasty
• 30 shoulders in 30 patients followed for a mean of 8.3 years
• VAS, ASES and SST scores were all significantly improved at latest follow-up compared to pre-operative assessment
• Radiographic evidence of a gradual decrease in the glenohumeral joint space during five to twelve years of follow-up
• Surgery on the non-dominant arm was significantly associated with reoperation
• Mid-term follow-up demonstrated a high reoperation rate (9 out of 30, 30%)

Take Away: Glenoid resurfacing with a meniscal allograft in conjunction with arthroplasty provided significant improvement in shoulder function and pain relief in this cohort of patients with glenohumeral arthritis under fifty-five.

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Authors: Aaron J. Bois, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Ian J. Whitney, MD, Jeremy S. Somerson, MD and Michael A. Wirth, MD

Published: "Humeral Head Arthroplasty and Meniscal Allograft Resurfacing of the Glenoid". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2009 May;91(5):1109-19.

Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV