Resurfacing Arthroplasty of the Shoulder

The design of the Copeland surface replacement arthroplasty has evolved over the past 20 years but the basic concept and design of the surface replacement, including minimal removal of bone and cementless fixation, has remained constant. The indications and surgical technique have been refined over this period. The surface replacement prosthesis has demonstrated clinical results at least equal to those of conventional stemmed prostheses. The specific advantages of a surface replacement over a stemmed prosthesis include minimal bone resection, which aids revision surgery, and the absence of a stem avoids shaft stress fractures. The indications, surgical technique and results of the Copeland surface replacement arthroplasty are presented.

(Techniques in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery 4(4):199–21)