Arthrosurface Launches World's First Easy Access Glenoid Resurfacing System

FRANKLIN, Mass., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthrosurface, Inc. (www.arthrosurface.com), the developer of less-invasive joint resurfacing systems, announced that it has performed its first Total Shoulder resurfacing procedure using the new HemiCAP(GRS) glenoid system and its existing HemiCAP® shoulder.  Preparation of the Arthrosurface inlay glenoid leaves the labrum intact and is implanted using an angled surgical approach instead of the more difficult and invasive straight-on technique. Adding a resurfacing glenoid to the Company's existing shoulder line provides a full portfolio from focal to total resurfacing.

"Total shoulder Resurfacing has been a goal of orthopaedics for the last twenty five years and until today, was impossible to achieve without serious compromises," said Dr. John Uribe.  "When doing a traditional total shoulder replacement you remove more bone stock, the onlay glenoids have a tendency to loosen and because both implants are not anatomic you can easily overstuff the patients' shoulder joint. Using the Arthrosurface HemiCAP(GRS) inlay glenoid I can preserve bone stock and resurfacing both sides of the shoulder joint anatomically, gives me a new option, especially for younger patients."

Traditional glenoid implants require preparation of the implant site with instruments that require a straight-on surgical axis which means the humeral head has to be transected and removed to gain access to the glenoid.  Taking the head off in order to facilitate the surgical exposure is the first compromise when performing a total shoulder arthroplasty.  In addition, there are other weaknesses to the existing implants.  Onlays sit "on" the surface instead of "in" it making them proud to the surrounding bone.  This can lead to overstuffing of the joint as well as rocking of the implant as the head articulates back and forth across the implant.  The HemiCAP(GRS) glenoid system is the first to be implanted using an angled approach so the head is left in place. The implant is designed as an inlay to match the surrounding anatomy and the stability of an inlaid implant should minimize or virtually eliminate any overstuffing or rocking of the implant.  

Over the last eight years, Arthrosurface has performed thousands of shoulder resurfacings that have provided opportunities for the company to listen to surgeons and observe their experiences.  Several recurring issues were identified:  Make the access to the glenoid easy, provide an implant that fits flush to the surface to avoid joint overstuffing and make it an inlay so that the glenoid implant is stable.  "Our goal when designing the new HemiCAP(GRS) glenoid was to address these issues and, at the same time, allow surgeons to perform a total resurfacing without removing the head. The angled instruments have also added a significant level of convenience to performing a total shoulder," said company co-founder and designer, Steve Ek.

SOURCE Arthrosurface, Inc.