Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty

Background: The purpose of this biomechanical study was to examine the effect of coracoacromial (CA) ligament state (intact vs. released) and arm position on acromial and scapular spine strain following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulders were implanted wit...

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Main Authors: Cole T. Fleet, MESc, Alicia Kerrigan, MD, MSc, FRCSC, G. Daniel. G. Langohr, PhD, James A. Johnson, PhD, George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:JSES International
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004547
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author Cole T. Fleet, MESc
Alicia Kerrigan, MD, MSc, FRCSC
G. Daniel. G. Langohr, PhD
James A. Johnson, PhD
George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC
author_facet Cole T. Fleet, MESc
Alicia Kerrigan, MD, MSc, FRCSC
G. Daniel. G. Langohr, PhD
James A. Johnson, PhD
George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC
author_sort Cole T. Fleet, MESc
collection DOAJ
description Background: The purpose of this biomechanical study was to examine the effect of coracoacromial (CA) ligament state (intact vs. released) and arm position on acromial and scapular spine strain following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulders were implanted with a custom rTSA system and tested using an in-vitro shoulder simulator. The specimens were cycled through static range of motion in both abduction and forward elevation; first with the CA ligament in the “intact” state followed by the “released” state. Scapular spine strain was quantified via 4 strain gauges placed along anatomic locations on the acromion and scapular spine. Results: Increases in strain were observed across all 4 strain gauge locations upon release of the CA ligament in both 0° of abduction and forward elevation. Increases in the mean strain were observed to be as great as 14% in abduction and 31% in forward elevation. The increases in strain at 0° elevation approached but did not reach statistical significance (P ≥ .072). At 90° of abduction and forward elevation, no increases in the mean strain were observed. The greatest strain was consistently observed with the arm positioned in 0° of forward elevation (P < .001). Discussion: CA ligament release in the setting of rTSA resulted in increased scapular spine and acromial strain with the arm adducted, although these increases in strain were not statistically significant. Caution should be taken intraoperatively as the release of the CA ligament may alter scapular spine and acromion stresses from deltoid loading, which may increase the risk for postoperative scapular spine fracture.
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spelling doaj-art-3df1271e1d624bc780552cf3d76765422025-01-12T05:26:06ZengElsevierJSES International2666-63832025-01-0191283289Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplastyCole T. Fleet, MESc0Alicia Kerrigan, MD, MSc, FRCSC1G. Daniel. G. Langohr, PhD2James A. Johnson, PhD3George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC4Roth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, CanadaRoth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph's Health Care, London, CanadaRoth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Canada; Department of Surgery, Western University, London, CanadaRoth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Canada; Department of Surgery, Western University, London, CanadaRoth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada; Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Canada; Corresponding author: George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC, Roth, McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph’s Health Care, 268 Grosvenor St. London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada.Background: The purpose of this biomechanical study was to examine the effect of coracoacromial (CA) ligament state (intact vs. released) and arm position on acromial and scapular spine strain following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulders were implanted with a custom rTSA system and tested using an in-vitro shoulder simulator. The specimens were cycled through static range of motion in both abduction and forward elevation; first with the CA ligament in the “intact” state followed by the “released” state. Scapular spine strain was quantified via 4 strain gauges placed along anatomic locations on the acromion and scapular spine. Results: Increases in strain were observed across all 4 strain gauge locations upon release of the CA ligament in both 0° of abduction and forward elevation. Increases in the mean strain were observed to be as great as 14% in abduction and 31% in forward elevation. The increases in strain at 0° elevation approached but did not reach statistical significance (P ≥ .072). At 90° of abduction and forward elevation, no increases in the mean strain were observed. The greatest strain was consistently observed with the arm positioned in 0° of forward elevation (P < .001). Discussion: CA ligament release in the setting of rTSA resulted in increased scapular spine and acromial strain with the arm adducted, although these increases in strain were not statistically significant. Caution should be taken intraoperatively as the release of the CA ligament may alter scapular spine and acromion stresses from deltoid loading, which may increase the risk for postoperative scapular spine fracture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004547Reverse shoulder arthroplastyCoracoacromial ligamentScapular spine strainAcromial fractureCuff tear arthropathyPlane of elevation
spellingShingle Cole T. Fleet, MESc
Alicia Kerrigan, MD, MSc, FRCSC
G. Daniel. G. Langohr, PhD
James A. Johnson, PhD
George S. Athwal, MD, FRCSC
Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
JSES International
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Coracoacromial ligament
Scapular spine strain
Acromial fracture
Cuff tear arthropathy
Plane of elevation
title Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
title_full Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
title_fullStr Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
title_full_unstemmed Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
title_short Coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
title_sort coracoacromial ligament integrity influences scapular spine strain after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
topic Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Coracoacromial ligament
Scapular spine strain
Acromial fracture
Cuff tear arthropathy
Plane of elevation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004547
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