A morphometric evaluation of the humeral component in shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose: Aim of the study is to make a clinical evaluation of parameters used in prosthesis design for the humeral component applied in arthroplasty of the proximal upper extremity. Methods: In our study the plain shoulder radiographs were used of 195 (101 male, 94 female) patients aged 18-65 years (mean age, 38.8 +/- 11.5 years; males 35.4 +/- 11.6 years, females 42.5 +/- 10.2) with soft tissue trauma, but no degenerative or structural disorder in the shoulder joint (fracture, tumour, osteoarthritis etc.). Measurements were made on the radiograph of Head Height (HH), Frontal Base Diameter of the Head (FBD), 3 points at 3 cm intervals from proximal to distal of the medullar canal at surgical neck Endosteal Diameter (ED1, ED2 and ED3 respectively), Neck-Shaft Angle (NSA) and Head-Neck Angle (HNA). Results: According to the results, in the comparison of Groups I and III except the mean values of HH and ED1 in other parameters, no statistically significant difference was determined. In the comparison of Groups II and IV except the mean values of FBD and ED1 in other parameters no statistically significant difference was determined. Conclusions: In conclusion, the success of shoulder arthroplasty is explained well by the anatomic structure and proximal humerus morphometric parameters examined in this study. In prosthesis design, the differences in age and populations should be taken.