Glenoid Erosion Leading to Contact with Retained Metallic Suture Anchors: Bilateral Metallosis After Bilateral Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty: A Case Report.

CASE: Hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder is commonly indicated for younger patients with osteoarthritis who desire to continue recreational and employment activities. In patients who have undergone prior shoulder surgery, metallic suture anchors may be present in the glenoid. We present a case of bilateral shoulder metallosis following bilateral resurfacing hemiarthroplasty for arthropathy in the setting of previous shoulder instability; the prostheses caused eventual glenoid erosion, leading to contact with the retained metal anchors.

CONCLUSION: Because glenoid erosion is a common complication after shoulder hemiarthroplasty, patients with retained metal anchors are at risk for secondary metallosis due to medial protrusion of the prosthesis in the glenoid, with subsequent erosion of the metal anchors.