Shoulder
Radiographic and histopathologic analysis of osteolysis after total shoulder arthroplasty

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2009.09.012Get rights and content

Hypothesis

This study analyzed clinical, radiographic, and histologic data from failed total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) to determine factors associated with osteolysis.

Materials and methods

From 1985 to 2005, 52 patients (mean age, 61.6 years) underwent revision TSA at a single institution at a mean of 4.3 years after their index surgery. Patients were retrospectively assigned to 2 cohorts based on the presence (n = 10) or absence (n = 42) of osteolysis around their implants on the last prerevision surgery radiographs. Clinical information, associated histopathology from tissues obtained at revision surgery, and polyethylene wear data from the retrieved glenoid components were compared between groups.

Results

In the osteolysis group, 20% had screw fixation compared with 2.5% without osteolysis (P = .039). The radiolucency score was significantly higher in the osteolysis group: 12.7 ± 2.0 vs 8.7 ± 3.7 (P = .003). Wear analysis of the osteolysis group demonstrated significant increases in third-body particles compared with those implants without osteolysis (P = .004). Histology available from retrieved implants demonstrated particulate debris in 62% of patients with osteolytic lesions vs 67% without osteolytic lesions (P > .05).

Discussion

Significant differences were found in patients with osteolytic lesions compared with patients undergoing TSA revision surgery without such lesions, specifically with regard to glenoids that used adjuvant screw fixation, the presence of increased radiolucent lines, and an abundance of third-body wear. No significant differences were found in particulate wear debris despite the prevailing notion that osteolysis is associated with particulate debris from implant wear.

Conclusion

Screw fixation and third-body wear were associated with osteolysis after TSA.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

This study was approved by the Hospital for Special Surgery Institutional Review Board (Study No. 24097) in December 2007.

From 1985 to 2005, 52 consecutive patients with a mean age of 61.6 ± 11.9 years underwent revision TSA at a single institution at a mean of 4.3 ± 4.7 years after the index surgery. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent revision TSA with availability of prerevision surgery radiographs and availability of the explanted components for evaluation of wear patterns.

Clinical information and demographics

Overall, 10 of 52 patients (19%) had radiographic evidence of osteolysis surrounding the glenoid component. No significant differences existed between the patients with osteolytic lesions and those without significant lesions (Table I) with regard to age, concordance of operative side with dominant hand, smoking history, primary diagnosis, length of implantation, range of motion, concurrent rotator cuff tear, and subjective instability.

Components

The implant system used did not demonstrate significant

Conclusions

This study examined demographic, clinical, radiographic, and retrieval analysis characteristics associated with osteolysis around TSA components on prerevision radiographs. We found metal-backed glenoid components were associated with osteolysis, consistent with the findings of other studies. Third-body embedded metallic particles into the polyethylene surface and thicker radiolucent lines were also significantly associated with the presence of osteolysis. Further insight into associations

Acknowledgments

Partial support from the Clark and Kirby Foundations is gratefully appreciated.

Disclaimer

The authors Christopher Kepler, Shane Nho, Manjula Bansal, Owen Ala, and Timothy Wright, their immediate families, and any research foundations with which they are affiliated, have not received any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article. Edward Craig has a royalty agreement with Biomet. Russell Warren has royalty agreements with Biomet and Smith & Nephew, stock considerations with Zimmer, is a paid consultant for KFx, and receives

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