Navigating the future: A comprehensive review of technology in shoulder arthroplasty

The volume of shoulder arthroplasty (SA) procedures has increased significantly in recent years, outpacing the growth of hip and knee arthroplasty. As a relatively young area in orthopedics, shoulder arthroplasty offers many opportunities for innovation, often borrowing from established practices in other subspecialties. Degenerative shoulder pathology presents unique challenges that can be difficult to adequately address with conventional reconstructive methods alone. Currently, three-dimensional preoperative planning is the most widely utilized technology in shoulder arthroplasty. Implementation of patient-specific instrumentation is increasing, primarily for patients with severe deformity. Computer-assisted navigation, widely used in hip and knee reconstruction, is gaining traction. These technologies have demonstrated increased accuracy and precision in correcting glenoid deformity and implant positioning, which are known to influence the long-term performance of SA. However, studies specifically evaluating the long-term clinical benefits of these innovations are lacking. In the near future, the application of robotic and immersive technologies like augmented reality for SA demonstrates promise for enhancing the surgeon's ability to address glenoid deformity intraoperatively. These advancements provide exciting opportunities to transform the field of shoulder arthroplasty, yet they must be critically evaluated for their cost and impact to outcomes clinical cohorts with long-term follow-up. Level of evidence: Level V; Narrative Review.