Patent ID: 8361157

Claim:
A method of implanting a shoulder prosthesis assembly in a glenoid cavity, comprising the steps of: providing (i) a metaglenoid element having a plate fitted with a central adapter, the central adapter including a central axial bore, the axial bore having both (a) a smooth zone at one end thereof and (b) a threaded zone adjacent said smooth zone, (ii) a glenoid sphere having a recess formed therein, and a joint surface for co-operating with a cup of an associated humeral prosthesis, and (iii) an axial screw disposed within the recess and rotatable relative to the glenoid sphere, the axial screw including a head at one end thereof, a threaded portion at an intermediate portion thereof, and a smooth surface at an opposing distal insertion end thereof, said smooth surface extending over a fraction of a length of the axial screw, anchoring the metaglenoid element in the glenoid cavity; inserting the distal insertion end of the axial screw into the axial bore so that the smooth surface contacts the smooth zone of the axial bore; and positioning the plate within the recess.