Validation of In Vivo Linear and Volumetric Wear Measurement for Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Using Model‐Based Radiostereometric Analysis

Abstract

Presently, polyethylene wear measurement of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is restricted to in vitro, in silico, and retrieval analysis, with no method for the quantification of in vivo wear of well-functioning implants. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of model-based radiostereometric analysis (MBRSA) as a measurement tool for in vivo rTSA wear using a phantom setup. Six additively manufactured polyethylene inserts were fabricated, one unworn control and five to represent known wear patterns, and individually fit within the rTSA components. Each insert was imaged using standard radiostereometric techniques and analyzed using MBRSA. From the position and orientation estimation provided by MBRSA, a micro-computed tomography model of the control insert was virtually placed within the metaphyseal tray. The apparent intersection of the glenosphere into the insert was recorded as wear. This method enables wear measurements with a linear precision of 0.21 mm and a bias of 0.36 ± 0.13 mm, and a volumetric precision of 49.3 mm 3 , with a bias of 48.9 ± 24.3 mm 3 . This technique allows for the in vivo measurement of polyethylene wear without the requirement of marker beads or baseline radiographs, expanding the potential for in vivo wear measurements to larger populations and retrospective analysis.