Humeral Hemiarthroplasty with Spherical Glenoid Reaming: Theory and Technique of The Ream and Run Procedure

Despite improvements in glenoid prosthesis design, materials and surgical techniques, complications related to the glenoid component continue to be a leading cause of failure after total shoulder arthroplasty. Although previously felt to be of little clinical significance, radiolucent lines around the glenoid prosthesis are now recognized as a sign of impending mid and long term fixation problems. While much attention in shoulder prosthesis design has focused on anatomical reconstruction of the humerus through increasing modularity, comparatively little progress has been made in solving the problems of glenoid wear and fixation failure. Resolving these issues on the socket side of the equation remains a challenge for the shoulder arthroplasty surgeon as the population ages, as young patients present with terminal shoulder arthritis and as patients demand higher performance from their implant.