Biomechanical comparison of stemless humeral components in total shoulder arthroplasty

Background The purpose of this study was to compare initial fixation strength between various stemless and stemmed humeral components and to correlate implant fixation strength with bone mineral density (BMD). Methods Five humeral stem designs were investigated: Stemless-A (four hollow fins), Stemless-B (central body, three solid fins), Stemless-C (central screw, peripheral rim-fit), Short stem (50 mm), and Standard stem (130 mm). Fifty cadaveric human humerii were obtained and divided into five groups. BMD within the humeral head was determined for all samples. The mean BMD was similar between groups. The 25 samples with the lowest and highest BMDs were categorized as “Low” and “High,” respectively, with a BMD threshold of 0.35 g/cm2, creating BMD subgroups. After implantation, each sample underwent a standardized biomechanical testing protocol, with axial loading followed by torsional loading. Sensors attached to the specimen recorded micromotion throughout testing. Axial loading consisted of cyclic loading for 100 cycles at 3 peak forces (220, 520, and 820 N). Torsional loading consisted of 100 cycles of internal/external rotation at 0.1 Hz at 6 peak torques, or until failure (±2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 Nm). Failure was defined as the torque at which any bone fracture, implant detachment from anchor/stem, or an excess of 50° internal/external rotation occurred. Groups and BMD subgroups were compared. Results At maximal axial loading, Stemless-B demonstrated greater micromotion (540 μm) than Stemless-C (192 μm) (P = .003). Stemless-B and Stemless-A (387 μm) also had greater micromotion than Short stem (118 μm, P Conclusion Stemless humeral implants should be used with caution in low-BMD settings ( Level of evidence Basic Science Study; Cadaveric Study