Researchers find high failure rate with biologic glenoid resurfacing

The results of a recently published study indicate that biological glenoid resurfacing can result in clinical failure in over half of all procedures.

“Despite significant improvements compared with baseline values, biologic resurfacing of the glenoid resulted in a high rate of clinical failure at intermediate follow-up,” Eric J. Strauss, MD, and colleagues wrote.

Of the 45 glenoid biological resurfacings that Strauss and colleagues studied, 41 patients were assessed for range of motion and clinical outcome at a follow-up of 2.8 years, mean. Lateral meniscal allograft resurfacing was used in 31 patients (Group A) and investigators used human acellular dermal tissue matrix interposition in 10 patients (Group B) for an overall clinical failure rate of 51.2%.

The Group A failure rate was of 45.2% with a 3.4 year mean time to failure and the Group B failure rate was 70% with a 2.2 year mean time to failure.

Compared to baseline, significant improvements were seen in the VAS pain score (3.0 vs. 6.3 points), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (62.0 vs. 36.8 points), and Simple Shoulder Test score (7.0 vs. 4.0 points), respectively.

Strauss and colleagues also identified a significant improvement in forward elevation from baseline of 106° to 138° and external rotation of 31° to 51°).

“Our results suggest that biologic resurfacing of the glenoid may have a minimal and as yet undefined role in the management of glenohumeral arthritis in the young active patient over more traditional methods of hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty,” they wrote. Reference:

Strauss E. J Should Elb Surg. 2014;doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2013.06.001

Disclosures: Strauss is a paid consultant for Mitek and receives research support from Omeros Inc., Dynasplint Inc. He also receives royalties from Jaypee Publishing and is on the editorial board for both Cartilage and the Bulletin of the Hospital For Joint Diseases.