Preclinical Testing of Stemless Shoulder Implant Stability - How Much Complexity Is Necessary?

Description

This presentation from the ISTA 2024 conference held in Nashville discusses the advancements in systemic shoulder arthroplasty and the need for improved methodologies in assessing implant stability, particularly in stemless shoulder arthroplasty. The presenters, who are associated with Zimmer Biomet, highlight the rapid increase in shoulder arthroplasty procedures over the past decade, underscoring a lack of consensus in technical standards for stability assessment.



Using a simple analogy of recreating art to explain complexity in testing methods, the speakers advocate for starting with simpler tests to yield meaningful results. They introduce three testing methodologies: static pull out, static lever out, and cyclic micro-motion tests, articulating the relevance of each in assessing implant performance under various conditions.



Findings indicate that while device A and device B did not differ significantly in every aspect, device B showed superior stability through certain tests. The discussion emphasizes the importance of appropriate test complexity based on the devices being compared and suggests further investigation into additional devices and more complex testing scenarios to enhance clinical relevance. The session concludes with an invitation for audience questions and engagement in ongoing ASTM working group initiatives.

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