Shoulder implant assembly

1. A method for selectively performing reverse and traditional arthroplasty for a shoulder joint that includes a humerus and a glenoid, the method comprising:

providing a head, a cup and a humeral stem;

providing a humeral adapter for attaching the head to the humeral stem in traditional arthroplasty;

providing a glenoid adapter for attaching the head to the glenoid in reverse arthroplasty;

selecting one of the humeral and glenoid adapters; and

performing the corresponding arthroplasty utilizing the head, the cup, the humeral stem and the selected adapter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the humeral and glenoid adapters are the same adapter.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the adapter includes a first male taper selectively attachable to one of the humeral stem and a glenoid stem.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the adapter includes a second male taper configured to be received in a female taper of the head.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the corresponding arthroplasty includes:

attaching the glenoid adapter to the glenoid;

attaching the glenoid adapter to the head;

attaching the cup to the humeral stem; and

articulating the head with the cup.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the corresponding arthroplasty includes:

attaching the humeral adapter to the humeral stem;

attaching the humeral adapter to the head;

attaching the cup to the glenoid; and

articulating the head with the cup.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein attaching the glenoid adapter to the glenoid includes attaching a glenoid stem to the adapter and implanting the glenoid stem to the glenoid.