Logo image
Back
Fracture of pyrocarbon humeral head resurfacing implant: a case report
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Fracture of pyrocarbon humeral head resurfacing implant: a case report

Corentin Pangaud, Jean-François Gonzalez, Joseph W Galvin, Marc-Olivier Gauci and Pascal Boileau
Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, Vol.29(8), pp.e306-e312
08/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.02.028
PMID: 32713470
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2020.02.028View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Related content

Has comment

Was corrected by

Abstract

We report a case of a pyrocarbon humeral head resurfacing implant fracture, occurring 6 years after its implantation, without any obvious trauma or dislocation. Initial radiographs showed a proud and oversized pyrocarbon resurfacing implant. On clinical examination, the patient had a painful and pseudoparalyzed shoulder with subscapularis insufficiency. Imaging studies confirmed implant fracture and severe fatty infiltration (Goutallier, grade 4) of the subscapularis muscle. Intraoperatively, the implant was found to be fractured with multiple pyrocarbon debris in the glenohumeral joint. The implant was loose, and gross inspection showed no visible bony adhesion or ongrowth. Histologic analysis showed multiple seats of metallosis in the synovial tissue and cancellous bone of the humeral head. Successful management of this complication was managed with a thorough débridement and irrigation and revision to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Our observation put into question the use of pyrocarbon as a humeral head resurfacing implant. The material seems to be too fragile to be used as a resurfacing implant and cannot achieve fixation of the implant to bone.
 Radiography Arthroplasty, Replacement - methods Carbon Fractures, Bone - diagnosis Fractures, Bone - surgery Humans Humeral Head - diagnostic imaging Humeral Head - surgery Male Middle Aged Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging Shoulder Joint - surgery

Details

Metrics

7 Record Views
8 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image