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Review
. 2025 Jul 26;17(7):e88813.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.88813. eCollection 2025 Jul.

Ream and Run Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Shoulder Treatments for Glenohumeral Arthritis

Leandra Roelker  1 , Ali Ghasemi  2 , Andrea Fabregas  3 , Gene Shaffer  2 , James Raphael  2
Affiliations
Review

Ream and Run Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Shoulder Treatments for Glenohumeral Arthritis

Leandra Roelker et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Glenohumeral arthritis is commonly managed by total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), but risks of TSA failure due to its prosthetic glenoid component raise serious concerns, prompting some patients to turn to the ream and run technique (RnR) as an alternative procedure that avoids such complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared clinical outcomes of patients who underwent TSA or RnR treatment for glenohumeral arthritis. A total of 668 shoulders from a total of 666 patients were included, with 325 shoulders undergoing RnR and 343 shoulders undergoing TSA. Significant postoperative improvements in simple shoulder test (SST) score (RnR: 4.99, TSA: 4.51), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score (RnR: 40.50, TSA: 40.22), external rotation (RnR: 21.22º, TSA: 19.72º), and forward elevation (RnR: 24.75º, TSA: 40.50º) were found in both cohorts. A significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (RnR: -4.08, TSA: 3.93) was also found in both cohorts. Meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference between treatments across every outcome measure of the study. Both RnR and TSA techniques significantly improve pain and increase functionality and mobility in patients with glenohumeral arthritis. These findings have significant implications for clinical practice moving forward, as they offer clinicians and patients an additional treatment option with comparable outcomes.

Keywords: glenohumeral arthritis; hemiarthroplasty; joint preservation; ream and run; shoulder arthroplasty.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preoperative Radiographs Demonstrating Glenohumeral Arthritis with Type B2 Glenoid Deformity
Preoperative anteroposterior (AP) and axillary radiographs showing severe degenerative joint disease and a type B2 glenoid with biconcavity and posterior decentering of the humeral head. Used with permission from Matsen et al., International Orthopaedics (2019).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Postoperative Radiographs Following Ream-and-Run Humeral Hemiarthroplasty
Postoperative anteroposterior (AP) and axillary radiographs showing centering of an anteriorly eccentric humeral head in the reamed glenoid, and fixation of a smooth-stemmed humeral component with impaction autografting. Used with permission from Matsen et al., International Orthopaedics (2019).
Figure 3
Figure 3. PRISMA Flow Diagram
Figure 4
Figure 4. Comparative Forest Plot of Pre- Versus Post-Operation Simple Shoulder Test Score
Figure 5
Figure 5. Comparative Forest Plot of Pre- Versus Post-Operation American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score
Figure 6
Figure 6. Comparative Forest Plot of Pre- Versus Post-Operation Visual Analog Scale Pain Score
Figure 7
Figure 7. Comparative Forest Plot of Pre- Versus Post-Operation Active Forward Elevation
Figure 8
Figure 8. Comparative Forest Plot of Pre- Versus Post-Operation External Rotation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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