Shoulder implant showdown: which material works best?
NCT ID NCT05339815
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at 205 people who had reverse shoulder replacement surgery with one of two types of glenosphere implants (the ball part of the joint). The goal was to see which implant material—cobalt-chromium or a special plastic—was safer and worked better over two years. Researchers checked for implant problems, pain, and shoulder function using patient surveys and X-rays.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- shoulder implant (glenosphere)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help surgeons choose the best implant material for reverse shoulder replacements, improving patient outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study comparing existing devices, so it won't lead to a new treatment. Results may not apply to all patients or other implant brands.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
205 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Oct 2022
- Finished
-
Jan 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The eligible study population is the entire population that underwent a reverse shoulder arthroplasty performed with 36-mm CoCrMo versus 40-mm cross-linked UHMWPE glenospheres between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2020 at Wrightington Hospital (UK) in accordance with the indication for use of the product.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patient was treated with the SMR Reverse Shoulder System device (either with 36-mm CoCrMo glenosphere or 40-mm cross-linked UHMWPE glenosphere) between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2020 as per Instruction for Use 2. Patient was an adult male or female and was 18 years of age or older at the time of surgery 3. Patient received the SMR Reverse Shoulder System for primary, fracture, or revision total shoulder replacement in a grossly rotator cuff deficient joint with severe arthroplasty 4. The patient's joint was anatomically and structurally suited to receive the selected implants, with a functional deltoid muscle 5. Surgery date is at least 24 months from screening of data 6. Patient has baseline radiographs and Oxford Shoulder Score Exclusion Criteria: 1 Patient was treated with the SMR Reverse Shoulder System device (either with 36-mm CoCrMo glenosphere or 40-mm cross-linked UHMWPE glenosphere) between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2020 out of the Indications for Use
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Arthroplasty, replacement, shoulder are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Wigan, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.