Hypothesis testing of glenoid component innovation in total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract

A glenoid component with reliable long-term performance does not exist for total shoulder arthroplasty. Poor glenoid component durability may be explained by the huge variability that exists at the shoulder joint pre-operation. Furthermore, factors such as the ageing population and the low average age associated with total shoulder arthroplasty patients can only highlight the necessity to increase glenoid component durability. Despite this need, designs introduced to the market continue to lack rigorous biomechanical testing, and the problem of glenoid component loosening is far from solved. The author proposes that glenoid component durability can be imporved by preclinical testing eliminating weak designs before continuing to costly clinical trials. The specific mode of investigation persued in this thesis is "hypothesis-based" research. From the universal statement that glenoid component performance weakens total shoulder arthroplasty, statements of a lesser universiality ("hypotheses") regarding glenoid component designs are deduced and tested.