Cesar Flores-Hernandez

Accuracy of CT-based measurements of glenoid version for total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS The arthritic glenoid is typically in retroversion and restoration to neutral version is recommended. While a method for measurement of glenoid version using axial computed tomography (CT) has been reported and has been widely accepted, its accuracy and reproducibility has not been established. METHODS In 33 patients scheduled for shoulder arthroplasty, glenoid version and maximum wear of the glenoid articular surface were measured with respect to the scapular body axis on 2-dimensional- (2D) CT slices as well as on 3-dimensional- (3D) reconstructed models of the same CT slices. RESULTS Clinical CT scans were axially aligned with the patients torso but were almost never perpendicular to the scapular body. The average absolute error in version measured on the 2D-CT slice passing through the tip of the coracoid was 5.1 degrees (range, 0 - 16 degrees , P < .001). On high-resolution 3D-CT reconstructions, the location of maximum wear was most commonly posterior and was missed on the clinical 2D-CT slices in 52% of cases. CONCLUSION Error in measuring version and depth of maximum wear can substantially affect the determination of the degree of correction necessary in arthritic glenoids. Accurately measuring glenoid version and locating the direction of maximum wear requires a full 3D-CT reconstruction and analysis.

Effect of Total Knee Arthroplasty Implant Position on Flexion Angle Before Implant-Bone Impingement

We generated patient-specific computer models of total knee arthroplasty from 10 patients to compute maximum flexion angle before implant-bone impingement. Motion was simulated for 5 different femoral implant positions and 11 different tibial insert positions at 4 different tibial posterior slopes. In the neutral position, the mean maximum flexion angle was 136.3°. The range because of anatomical variation among patients was 13.0°. A combination of 2-mm posterior translation of the femoral component with a 10-mm anterior translation of the insert and a 7° posterior slope increased flexion by a mean of 14° relative to the neutral position. The rate of change in flexion angle was 0.4°/mm to 1.5°/mm with respect to implant position and 1.5°/mm increase in the posterior condylar offset.

Predicting the effect of tray malalignment on risk for bone damage and implant subsidence after total knee arthroplasty

Tibial tray malalignment has been associated with increased subsidence and failure. We constructed a finite element model of knee arthroplasty to determine the biomechanical factors involved in increasing the risk of subsidence with malalignment. Four fresh‐frozen human knees were implanted with a tibial tray and subjected to forces representative of walking for up to 100,000 cycles. Cyclic displacement was measured between the tray and proximal tibia. The vertical load was shifted medially to generate a load distribution ratio of 55:45 (medial/lateral) to represent neutral alignment or 75:25 to represent varus alignment. Subjected specific geometry and material properties were obtained from qCT scans of tibia to construct a finite element model. The tray was subjected to a single load cycle representing experimental conditions. Tray displacement computed by the model matched that measured experimentally. Forces representing varus tray alignment generated greater strains in the proximal tibia and a greater volume of bone was subjected to strains higher than the fatigue threshold. Local compressive strains directly correlated with experimental subsidence and failure. Our results indicate that failure after tray malalignment is likely due to fatigue damage to the proximal tibia rather than shear across the implant–bone interface or failure of the cement mantle.

Posterior augmented glenoid designs preserve more bone in biconcave glenoids

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Total shoulder arthroplasty is recommended treatment for severe osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, which often results in excessive posterior wear. Two recent glenoid components with posterior augments have been designed to correct excessive posterior wear and retroversion. Our primary hypothesis was that posterior augmented glenoid designs require less bone removal than a standard glenoid design. METHODS Ten arthritic scapulae classified as Walch B2 glenoids were virtually implanted with standard, stepped, and wedged components. The volume of surgical bone removal, the maximum reaming depth, and the portion of the implant surface in contact with cancellous vs. cortical bone were calculated for each implant. RESULTS The neoglenoid made up an average of 65% ± 12% of the glenoid width. Mean surgical bone volume removed was least for the wedged (2857 ± 1618 mm(3)) compared with the stepped (4307 ± 1485 mm(3); P < .001) and standard (5385 ± 2348 mm(3); P < .001) designs. Maximum bone depth removed for the wedged (4.2 ± 2.0 mm) was less than for the stepped (7.6 ± 1.2 mm; P < .001) and standard (9.9 ± 3.2 mm; P < .001). The mean percentage of the implants back surface supported by cancellous bone was 18.2% for the standard, 8.8% for the stepped (P = .02), and 4.3% for the wedged (P = .01). DISCUSSION Both augmented components corrected glenoid version to neutral and required less bone removal, required less reaming depth, and were supported by more cortical bone than in the standard implant. The least amount of bone removed was with the wedged design.

Patient-Specific Computer Model of Dynamic Squatting After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Knee forces are highly relevant to performance after total knee arthroplasty especially during high flexion activities such as squatting. We constructed subject-specific models of two patients implanted with instrumented knee prostheses that measured knee forces in vivo. In vivo peak forces ranged from 2.2 to 2.3 times bodyweight but peaked at different flexion angles based on the type of squatting activity. Our model predicted tibiofemoral contact force with reasonable accuracy in both subjects. This model can be a very useful tool to predict the effect of surgical techniques and component alignment on contact forces. In addition, this model could be used for implant design development, to enhance knee function, to predict forces generated during other activities, and for predicting clinical outcomes.

Posterior augmented glenoid implants require less bone removal and generate lower stresses: a finite element analysis

HYPOTHESIS Glenoid retroversion can be corrected with standard glenoid implants after anterior-side asymmetric reaming or by using posterior augmented glenoid implants with built-in corrections. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 augmented glenoid designs with a standard glenoid design, measure the amount of bone removed, and compute the stresses generated in the cement and bone. METHODS Finite element models of 3 arthritic scapulae with varying severities of posterior glenoid wear were each implanted with 4 different implant configurations: standard glenoid implant in neutral alignment with asymmetric reaming, standard glenoid implant in retroversion, glenoid implant augmented with a posterior wedge in neutral alignment, and glenoid implant augmented with a posterior step in neutral alignment. The volume of cortical and cancellous bone removed and the percentage of implant back surface supported by cortical bone were measured. Stresses and strains in the implant, cement, and glenoid bone were computed. RESULTS Asymmetric reaming for the standard implant in neutral version required the most bone removal, resulted in the lowest percentage of back surface supported by cortical bone, and generated strain levels that risked damage to the most bone volume. The wedged implant removed less bone, had a significantly greater percentage of the back surface supported by cortical bone, and generated strain levels that risked damage to significantly less bone volume. CONCLUSIONS The wedged glenoid implants appear to have various advantages over the standard implant for the correction of retroversion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Basic Science Study; Computer Modeling.

Glenoid Rim Anatomy: Risk for Glenoid Vault Perforation During Labral Repair.

Background: Injuries to the glenoid labrum frequently require repair with anchors. Placing anchor devices arthroscopically can be challenging, and anchor malpositioning can complicate surgical outcomes. Purpose: To determine the safe insertion range and optimal insertion angle of glenoid labral anchors at various positions on the glenoid rim and to establish surgical guidelines that minimize risk of anchor perforation. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Three-dimensional computed tomography scans of 30 normal cadaveric specimens were obtained. A virtual model of a generic labral anchor was inserted into the rim of the glenoid at the clockface positions represented by 12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30. At each position, the safe insertion range was the maximal range measured, and the optimal insertion angle was identified as the angle between the bisector of the safe insertion range and the glenoid face. Results: Progressing in the clockwise direction, beginning at the 12:00 position, the safe insertion ranges (mean ± SD ) were 55.9° ± 10.6°, 63.6° ± 17.6°, 47.7° ± 9.1°, 46.1° ± 8°, 73.9° ± 9.7°, 40.9° ± 6.5°, 40.4° ± 7.4°, and 39.9° ± 7.1°, respectively. The optimal insertion angles were 47.9° ± 7.6°, 53.1° ± 10.9°, 35.0° ± 4.4°, 42.4° ± 4.9°, 60.9° ± 8.4°, 36.6° ± 5.9°, 31.2° ± 4.9°, 34.8° ± 4.6°, respectively. Conclusion: Optimal insertion angles and safe insertion ranges varied significantly with respect to the position on the glenoid face. The safe insertion range and optimal insertion angle were found to be wider at the anterior glenoid as compared with the posterior glenoid. A posterolateral insertion angle was safer than an anterior insertion angle at the 10:30 position. Clinical Relevance: Proper arthroscopic technique resulting in anchor insertion at the correct angle, depth, and location will prevent anchor-related glenohumeral complications such as glenoid perforation, cartilage damage, persistent pain, decreased range of motion, and failure of the reconstruction.

A quantitative three-dimensional templating method for shoulder arthroplasty: biomechanical validation in cadavers

BACKGROUND Press-fit humeral components for total shoulder arthroplasty have notable potential complications that may be minimized by preoperative templating and improvements in stem design. The purpose of this study was to develop a 3-dimensional templating technique for the humeral stem and to validate this templating in cadaveric specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cylindrical stem and a stem with a rectangular cross-section were selected for templating and force measurements. Templating was carried out for 15 clinical patients and 16 cadaveric shoulders, including calculation of the cortical-implant volume ratio (CIVR). Insertion forces for stem broaching and impaction were measured for 15 patients and 8 paired cadaveric shoulders. Hoop strain and periprosthetic fractures were monitored in cadaveric shoulders with strain gauges. RESULTS A significant difference in the CIVR was noted between rectangular and cylindrical stems. No difference was observed in impact forces for ideally sized rectangular or cylindrical stems. A difference in insertion forces was found between oversized cylindrical and oversized rectangular implant stems and also between ideal and oversized cylindrical implant stems. The difference in maximal hoop strain between ideally sized rectangular and cylindrical stems was also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS CIVR is useful to predict an ideal humeral stem size. Cylindrical stems have a different design rationale for fixation than rectangular stems. Surgeon awareness of the fixation rationale for a particular stem design is important because different stem types have different effects on the insertion force. More anatomic humeral stem designs may help to minimize the risk of complications and optimize stem fixation.