Does a short-stemmed humeral implant really make a difference?

Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for the treatment of osteoarthritis has shown excellent pain relief with durable outcomes. The trend toward less-invasive shoulder surgery and preservation of as much normal anatomy has led to the development of short-stem humeral implants. This technology helped in reducing stress shielding and facilitation of revision surgeries. With limited literature on stemless humeral implants, emerging studies have shown favorable outcomes and ease of use compared to traditional implants. Future analysis and assessment of new short-stem implant designs is warranted.