Humeral Hemiarthroplasty With Biologic Glenoid Resurfacing

The treatment of young patients with symptomatic glenohumeral arthritis has been challenging. The “gold standard” treatment, total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), can be associated with accelerated glenoid loosening, eccentric polyethylene wear, and multiple revision surgeries. The suboptimal outcomes in this patient population can be attributed to their young age, occupational requirements, and desire for an active lifestyle, which were not the original goals of the arthroplasty procedure. Hemiarthroplasty is an option in younger patients; however, it has been shown to provide less pain relief and durability than TSA. The combination of humeral hemiarthroplasty with biologic glenoid resurfacing has the potential of offering patients long-term pain relief while preserving the option of TSA later in life.