Early migration of a partially cemented fluted glenoid component inserted using a cannulated preparation system

Aims: Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) allows an extremely accurate measurement of early micromotion of components following arthroplasty. Patients and Methods: In this study, RSA was used to measure the migration of 11 partially cemented fluted pegged glenoid components in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty using an improved surgical technique (seven men, four women, mean age 68). Patients were evaluated clinically using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant-Murley scores and by CT scans two years post-operatively. Results: There were two patterns of migration, the first showing little, if any, migration and the second showing rotation by > 6° as early as three months post-operatively. At two years, these two groups could be confirmed on CT scans, one with osseointegration around the central peg, and the second with cystic changes. Patients with osteolysis around the central peg were those with early migration and those with osseointegration had minimal early migration. Both groups, however, had similar clinical results. Conclusion: Rapid early migration associated with focal lucency and absence of osseointegration was observed in three of 11 glenoid components, suggesting that lack of initial stability leads to early movement and failure of osseointegration.