The use of an anti-rotation wire in custom-made shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract

Shoulder arthroplasty have become increasingly more common in the UK and has been shown to be a successful operation that can significantly improve quality of life. Advanced arthritic patterns are frequently being identified with expansive bone loss which cannot be managed via traditional arthroplasty techniques. As no reliable landmarks are available intra-operatively to determine glenoid morphology and scapular plane, the use of patient-specific glenoid guides are becoming more commonplace in order to prepare the glenoid and accurately guide the placement of the glenoid component during conventional and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. A single, central guidewire that is used to orientate the custom base-plate permits a degree of rotational malalignment around its central axis. We describe the use of an anti-rotation guidewire to aid in implantation of a definitive custom-made glenoid base-plate, which is safe, effective and reproducible.