Method of implanting a reverse shoulder orthopaedic implant having an elliptical glenosphere component

1. A method of implanting a reverse shoulder orthopaedic prosthesis, the method comprising:

implanting a metaglene component into a patient's scapula,

selecting a glenosphere component having a curved lateral bearing surface,

securing the glenosphere component to the metaglene component in an orientation in which the glenosphere component has an anterior/posterior width that is greater than its superior/inferior width, and

selecting a humeral cup including a bearing surface configured to engage the lateral bearing surface of the glenosphere component,

wherein the anterior/posterior width is defined by a first imaginary line segment extending from an anterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to a posterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface, and

wherein the superior/inferior width is defined by a second imaginary line segment extending from a superior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to an inferior-most point of the lateral bearing surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lateral bearing surface is hemi-ellipsoidal in shape.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein implanting the metaglene component comprises inserting an elongated stem of the metaglene component into the patient's scapula, engaging the patient's scapula with an annular-shaped platform, and inserting a fastener into the patient's scapula through an aperture defined in the annular-shaped platform.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein securing the glenosphere component to the metaglene component comprises positioning the annular-shaped platform in a bore defined in a medial surface of the glenosphere component.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

aligning the bore of the glenosphere component with a tapered outer surface of the metaglene component, the bore of the glenosphere component being tapered, and

advancing the glenosphere component onto the metaglene component such that the glenosphere component is taper locked to the metaglene component.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein advancing the glenosphere component comprises striking the glenosphere component to advance the glenosphere component medially.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein securing the glenosphere component to the metaglene component comprises striking the glenosphere component to drive the glenosphere component medially onto the metaglene component.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein inserting the fastener includes inserting a screw cap into a threaded bore to position an annular retaining flange of the screw cap against a retaining ring of the glenosphere component.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein implanting the metaglene component comprises inserting a screw cap into a threaded bore defined in the elongated stem of the metaglene component to partially cover the aperture of the metaglene component with a locking flange of the screw cap.

10. A method of implanting an orthopaedic prosthesis, the method comprising:

securing a glenosphere component to a patient's scapula such that the glenosphere component has an anterior/posterior width that is greater than its superior/inferior width, and

positioning a humeral cup including a bearing surface configured to engage a lateral bearing surface of the glenosphere component relative to the glenosphere component,

wherein the anterior/posterior width is defined by a first imaginary line segment extending from an anterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to a posterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface, and

wherein the superior/inferior width is defined by a second imaginary line segment extending from a superior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to an inferior-most point of the lateral bearing surface.

11. A method of implanting an orthopaedic prosthesis, the method comprising:

aligning a glenosphere component having a curved lateral bearing surface with a metaglene component implanted in a patient's surgically-prepared scapula,

advancing the glenosphere component such that a tapered outer surface of the metaglene component is inserted into a tapered bore of the glenosphere component,

striking the glenosphere component to drive the glenosphere component medially to taper lock the glenosphere component to the implanted metaglene component, wherein the glenosphere component has an anterior/posterior width that is greater than its superior/inferior width when the glenosphere component is taper locked to the metaglene component,

wherein the anterior/posterior width is defined by a first imaginary line segment extending from an anterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to a posterior-most point of the lateral bearing surface, and

wherein the superior/inferior width is defined by a second imaginary line segment extending from a superior-most point of the lateral bearing surface to an inferior-most point of the lateral bearing surface.