Bassem T. Elhassan

Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head can progress to joint collapse and marked functional limitation, often requiring surgical treatment. Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) are the main surgical treatment options, but their comparative clinical value remains a topic of debate. In particular, uncertainty persists regarding how functional benefit, complication risk, and implant durability should be balanced in contemporary practice. In this meta-analysis, we compared functional outcomes, complication rates, and revision risk between TSA and HA in patients with humeral head AVN.Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Google Scholar from database inception through November 2025. Nine comparative studies were included. Pooled mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models.Results: HA was associated with significantly higher patient-reported function as measured by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores compared with TSA (MD, 17.12; P<0.00001), whereas TSA resulted in greater external rotation (MD, –10.23°; P=0.02). HA was also associated with a significantly lower overall complication rate compared with TSA (RR, 0.33; P0.05).Conclusions: In humeral head AVN, HA yields higher ASES scores and fewer complications, whereas TSA results in greater external rotation. Pain and revision rates are comparable, supporting the choice of individualized procedure selection based on glenoid status and patient goals.Level of evidence: III.

Background: Glenoid fixation strongly influences longevity and outcomes in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. Keeled and pegged designs are common, but comparative evidence for function, range of motion, and survivorship is inconsistent.Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted from database inception through December 2025. Thirteen comparative studies (n=3,219) met the inclusion criteria. Evaluated outcomes included patient-reported outcome measures (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], Constant-Murley score, Simple Shoulder Test [SST], visual analog scale [VAS] pain scores), shoulder range of motion (flexion, external rotation, internal rotation), and implant-related outcomes, including failure and revision. Follow-up ranged from short to long-term (up to 26 years).Results: Across pooled analyses, no significant differences were observed between pegged and keeled glenoid components in ASES (P=0.69), Constant-Murley (P=0.61), SST (P=0.74), or VAS pain scores (P=0.88). Postoperative flexion (P=0.61) and external rotation (P=0.35) were comparable between groups. Pegged glenoid components demonstrated a statistically significant but small improvement in internal rotation (mean difference, 1.60°; 95% CI, 0.54°–2.66°; P=0.003). Revision rates were significantly lower with pegged glenoid components compared with keeled designs (risk ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28–0.86; P=0.01), while overall failure rates did not differ significantly between groups (P=0.07).Conclusions: Both designs yield similar pain relief, functional gains, and shoulder motion across most patient-reported outcome measures. Pegged components show lower revision risk and slightly better internal rotation, although survivorship findings are primarily supported by observational evidence. Selection should be individualized to anatomy, bone quality, and surgical factors, not expectations of superior overall function.Level of evidence: II.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe, and report the outcomes of, a surgical technique that combines reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) using an allograft-prosthetic composite (APC) with a lower trapezius transfer (LTT) to the infraspinatus of the allograft extended with the inferior capsule. Methods: Between 2019 and 2023, 2 surgeons performed a total of 27 RSAs using an APC in conjunction with an LTT. Once the RSA APC reconstruction had been performed, cuff-capsule allograft tissue was passed posterior to the glenosphere and secured to the harvested lower trapezius. One shoulder was resected for periprosthetic joint infection; the remaining 26 shoulders were followed for a minimum of 2 years (mean, 2.7 years; range, 2 to 5 years). Results: The rate of revision or reoperation for humeral complications was 15% and included secondary bone grafting (2 shoulders), resection for infection (1 shoulder), and internal fixation of a periprosthetic fracture (1 shoulder). Other complications requiring surgery included hematoma treated with evacuation (2 shoulders), dislocation (1 shoulder), and glenosphere disassociation (1 shoulder). Preoperatively, 11 shoulders presented with pseudoparalysis, and the mean active elevation of the remaining 16 shoulders was 43°, with only 1 shoulder demonstrating >90° of active elevation. At the most recent follow-up, 3 shoulders were pseudoparalytic, 11 had 90° of active elevation, and 3 had active elevation to 90°. The overall mean active elevation of the 25 shoulders that could be assessed was 79°. Preoperatively, only 4 (15%) of the 27 shoulders demonstrated active external rotation past neutral; at the most recent follow-up, 80% of surviving shoulders had active external rotation past neutral. Conclusions: LTT at the time of RSA using an APC has the potential to restore active external rotation in shoulders with proximal humeral bone loss and posterosuperior cuff deficiency. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.