LOOSENING OF THE PROSTHETIC GLENOID: INFLUENCE OF SUBSCAPULAR TENSION AND GLENOID RETROVERSION

Purpose: The causes of glenoid loosening are multifactorial (implant design, surgical technique, bone properties, soft tissue properties). This biomechanical study was conducted to evaluate the consequences of two clinical problems often encountered in shoulder arthroplasty: subscapular tension and glenoid retroversion.Material and methods: We developed a 3D model of the shoulder including the rotator cuff. A total prosthesis was implanted by digital modellisation. The humeral prosthesis imitated the adaptable third-generation implants, with a stem and a portion of a metal sphere, were used to achieve anatomic reconstruction of the proximal humerus. The polyethylene glenoid, cemented to bone, had a central stem and a flat base. Two subscapular tension (normal and twice normal) and two glenoid positions (0° and 20° retroversion) were tested. External rotation (0–40°) and internal rotation (0–60°) were simulated. We calculated displacement of the glenohumeral contact point, joint forces and contact pressure...