Radiographic and clinical outcomes of second generation Trabecular Metal™ glenoid components in total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract

Background Total shoulder arthroplasty with second generation porous tantalum glenoid implants (Trabecular Metal™) has shown good short-term outcomes, but mid-term outcomes are unknown. This study describes the clinical, radiographic, and patient-rated mid-term outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty utilizing cemented Trabecular Metal™ glenoid components. Methods Patients who underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with cemented Trabecular Metal™ glenoid components for primary osteoarthritis were identified for minimum five-year follow-up. The primary outcome measure was implant survival; secondary outcome measures included patient-rated outcome scores, shoulder range of motion findings, and radiographic analysis. Results Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-one patients had full radiographic follow-up. Mean follow-up was 6.6 years. There was 100% implant survival. Shoulder range of motion significantly improved and the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Society score was 89.8. There was presence of metal debris radiographically in 24% of patients. Twenty-nine percent of patients had evidence of radiolucency. Fourteen percent of patients had moderate superior subluxation. Conclusion Total shoulder arthroplasty with second generation cemented Trabecular Metal™ glenoid components yielded good outcomes at mean 6.6-year follow-up. Metal debris incidence and clinical outcomes were similar to short-term findings. The presence of metal debris did not significantly affect clinical outcomes. Continued observation of these patients will elucidate longer-term implant survival.

Two-year results of a multi-centre, randomized controlled trial comparing a second-generation uncemented trabecular metal-backed versus cemented polyethylene glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty

“… 9 , 19 Our study found a lower rate of debris (6.5%) and severity (Grade 1) when compared to the literature, and might be attributed to our shorter follow-up period. Chen et al 10 identified debris in 24% of patients in their series at a mean 80 months with four patients categorized as Grade 1 and one patient as Grade 2. A subsequent retrospective study by the same author explored differences in metal debris between cemented and uncemented second-generation TM glenoids.…”