The Copeland resurfacing humeral head implant does not restore humeral head anatomy. A retrospective study.

Purpose: Recently, there has been concern that the Copeland resurfacing humeral head implant (RHHI) leaves the shoulder joint overstuffed. The purpose of this study was in a selected cohort of patients operated with a Copeland RHHI (1) to evaluate the Length of the Gleno-Humeral Offset (LGHO), (2) to assess the patient-reported quality of life and functional outcome measured by Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index (WOOS) and (3) to determine the number of revisions in the cohort.

Methods: Pre- and postoperative radiographs were retrieved from 71 of 91 possible patients operated with a Copeland RHHI from 2005 to 2009.

Preoperative ultrasonographic-guided marking of calcium deposits in the rotator cuff facilitates localization during arthroscopic surgery.

A new technique using a marking needle (Accura; Medical Device Technologies, Gainesville, FL) placed under ultrasonographic guidance preoperatively in a calcific deposit in the rotator cuff of the shoulder is described. When standard subacromial bursoscopy is performed, the needle is visualized in the bursa and followed to its position in the deposit. The deposit is opened and removed.