Fracture risk and initial fixation of a cementless glenoid implant: The effect of numbers and types of screws

The initial fixation of an anatomical cementless glenoid component, provided by different numbers and types of screws, and the risk of bone fracture were evaluated by estimating the bone–implant interface micromotions and the principal strains around the prosthesis. Four different fixation configurations using locking or compression screws were tested. Estimation of the micromotions at the bone–implant interface was performed both experimentally, using an in vitro model, and computationally, using a numerical model. Principal bone strains were estimated using the numerical model. Subject variability was included by modelling two different bone qualities (healthy and rheumatoid bone). For the fixation configurations that used two screws, experimental and modelling results found that the micromotions at the bone–implant interface did not change with screw type. However, screw type had a significant effect on fixation when only one screw was used; in this case, a locking screw resulted in less micromotion at the bone–implant interface compared with the compression screw. Bone strains were predicted by the numerical model, and strains were found to be independent of the screw type; however, the predicted strain levels calculated in rheumatoid bone were larger than the strain levels that may cause bone damage for most considered arm positions. Predicted bone strain in healthy bone did not reach this level. While proper initial component fixation that allows biological fixation can be achieved by using additional screws, the risk of bone failure around the screws must be considered, especially in cases of weak bone.