Resurfacing arthroplasty with an Extended Articular Surface as an alternative to a Reverse Shoulder prosthesis

May 17th, 2007

When shoulder arthritis is caused by irreparable damage to the rotator cuff, glenohumeral arthritis may develop--this is referred to as cuff arthropathy. Painful cuff arthropathy has been treated historically with a hemiarthroplasty only, because of the risk that a glenoid component will loosen, but now newer designs enable the surgery to be performed without the need for a stemmed component.

The EAS component refers to Extended Articular Surface and allows the resurfaced humeral head to articulate with the glenoid and the undersurface of the acromium. It has the advantage of being a less complex surgery--often performed without an overnight stay.

Though a reverse shoulder prosthesis is necessary when the humeral head is no longer contained within the socket (so-called anterior-superior escape) or when pseudoparalysis exists (when the arm cannot be elevated much abobe 20-30 degrees), an EAS resurfacing prosthesis is a suberb option in many cases of cuff arthropathy; this avoids the significant potential for complications that accompany a reverse shoulder.

Related Photos:

Preoperative lateral xray

Preoperative AP xray

Postoperative lateral xray

Postoperative AP xray

Related Videos:

Outcome 6 months following EAS Copeland resurfacing arthroplasty for cuff arthropathy with in tact biomechanics

Outcome after 1 year in another patient