Modular total shoulder system with short stem. A prospective clinical and radiological analysis

Between 1994 and 2001, a short-stemmed modular shoulder prosthesis was inserted in 62 shoulders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthrosis (OA). We reviewed 53 patients with 60 shoulders (45 RA/15 OA) with at least 24 months follow-up. In 22 shoulders, we used a total shoulder prosthesis including a glenoid polyethylene component, whereas 38 shoulders only had a humeral component. In six shoulders, the humeral component was cemented. The average follow-up was 47 (24–99) months. There were no intraoperative complications but one wound infection and one patient with proximal migration of the humeral component. Hospital for Special Surgery Score increased from 44 (19–72) to 63 (21–93) points and Shoulder Function Assessment score (SFA) from 24 (12–46) to 42 (11–66) points. The VAS score for pain at rest improved from 4.3 to 1.9. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines were seen adjacent to nine glenoid and one humeral components. Fifty-six patients were satisfied with the result.