What is the clinical importance of radiographic changes around the humeral component in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty? A minimum 4-year follow-up study.

Background: While stress shielding and adaptive bone changes around the humeral component are often observed after shoulder arthroplasty, the potential causative factors and clinical significance of these findings at mid-term follow-up have not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, patterns and clinical significance of radiographic findings around the humeral component of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) at minimum 4-year follow-up.

Methods: The 6-week and minimum 4-year radiographs of patients who underwent HA and TSA were evaluated for filling ratios, changes in the humeral bone surrounding the component, and component shift or subsidence.