Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: Perioperative Considerations and Complications.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty with preservation of the rotator cuff for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis has similar outcomes to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty for cuff arthropathy.

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Glenoid reconstruction with autologous humeral head for glenoid dysplasia in reverse shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUNDThe optimal surgical approach for patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) and an intact rotator cuff remains debated. While anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has traditionally been favoured, reverse TSA (RTSA) is increasingly utilized.AIMTo systematically compare the outcomes of RTSA and TSA in this specific patient population.METHODSA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Retrospective comparative studies evaluating RTSA and TSA in patients with GHOA and intact rotator cuff were included. Key outcomes assessed included complication and reoperation rates, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and range of motion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool.RESULTSTwelve studies encompassing 1608 patients (580 RTSA, 1028 TSA) met inclusion criteria. RTSA was associated with a lower reoperation rate compared to TSA [odds ratio = 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14-0.94; P value = 0.04], while no significant difference in overall complication rates was observed (odds ratio = 0.47; 95%CI: 0.19-1.16; P value = 0.10). RTSA patients showed superior outcomes in University of California Los Angeles, Simple Shoulder Test, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores; however, the differences did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference. TSA patients had significantly better external rotation (mean difference= -9.0°; 95%CI: -13.21 to -5.02; P value < 0.0001). No significant differences were found in other range of motion measures or satisfaction scores. The overall methodological quality of included studies was moderate to serious.CONCLUSIONIn patients with GHOA and an intact rotator cuff, RTSA may offer comparable or improved outcomes to TSA with lower reoperation rates and similar complication profiles. Functional outcomes favour RTSA in certain patient-reported outcome measures, while TSA retains an advantage in external rotation. Surgical decision-making should remain individualized based on patient characteristics and functional demands.

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty performed for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) with an intact rotator cuff compared with rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data including consecutive patients who underwent primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for GHOA or CTA with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Baseline patient demographics and clinical outcomes including active range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation, and visual analog scale for pain were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of preoperative diagnosis on clinical outcomes. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of GHOA demonstrated significantly better postoperative active forward elevation (138.6° versus 127.3°; P < 0.01), external rotation (54.2° versus 43.8°; P < 0.01), and change in internal rotation (Δ 2.1 points versus Δ 1.2 points; P < 0.01). Patients with GHOA demonstrated significantly better postoperative ASES (86.8 versus 76.6; P < 0.01), Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (89.7 versus 78.5; P < 0.01), and visual analog scale scores (0.63 versus 1.2; P < 0.01). Minimal clinically important difference for ASES score was achieved by 97.5% of patients with GHOA compared with 86.7% of patients with CTA (P < 0.01), whereas substantial clinical benefit was achieved by 90.4% of patients with GHOA and 71.7% of patients with CTA (P < 0.01). After a multivariate linear regression analysis, postoperative ASES scores were independently associated with previous ipsilateral shoulder surgery (P = 0.042), preoperative ASES score (P = 0.01), and primary diagnosis of GHOA (P < 0.01). RTSA performed in patients with GHOA and an intact rotator cuff is associated with improved functional and clinical outcomes compared with those patients treated for CTA. Level III Therapeutic Study.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is one of the most common treatment method for irreparable rotator cuff tear. One of the significant complications of this surgery is nerve injury. This study aimed to identify the patterns of brachial plexus nerve involvement and to determine the surgical stages associated with increased nerve vulnerability during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Additionally, the relationship between extremity lengthening, acromiohumeral distance (AHD) changes and intraoperative nerve events were evaluated. Twenty patients diagnosed with rotator cuff tear arthropathy who underwent total reverse shoulder arthroplasty in a single center were included in the study. Demographic data, preoperative shoulder range of motion (ROM), and functional scores were recorded. Radiological measurements were performed to evaluate extremity lengthening and preoperative acromiohumeral distances (AHD) differences on both shoulders. The relationship between these values and intraoperative motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude drops was analyzed. The nerves affected and the corresponding surgical stages were documented. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between nerve involvement and preoperative variables. Among the 20 patients evaluated, the musculocutaneous and radial nerves were most frequently affected, particularly during the glenoid preparation stage. Smoking history (p = 0.019) and increased preoperative internal rotation (p = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher risk of nerve involvement. Binomial logistic regression analysis shows that smoking history is independently associated with a higher risk of intraoperative nerve events (OR 11.49, 95% CI 1.03-128.57; p = 0.048). A preoperative difference of less than 3.7 mm in preoperative AHD between the operated and contralateral sides reduced the risk of nerve involvement by 4.2 times. The musculocutaneous and radial nerves were found to be most commonly affected, during glenoid preparation phase, due to the excessive traction and improper positioning of the retractors. Lower preoperative AHD difference of less than 3.7 mm increases the risk of nerve events. The use of IONM during RTSA surgery has a preventive effect along with its diagnostic use. 4, prospective case series.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has higher perioperative implant complications and transfusion rates than total shoulder arthroplasty

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty changes the lines of action of the shoulder muscles, resulting in increases in the moment arms of the major abductors and flexors of the glenohumeral joint; however, at present little is known about the axial rotation capacity of the musculature after this procedure. The purpose of this study was to measure the instantaneous axial rotation moment arms of all of the major muscles spanning the glenohumeral joint during abduction and flexion after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was performed on eight entire cadaveric upper extremities. Specimens were mounted onto a testing apparatus, and the internal/external rotation moment arms of eighteen major muscle subregions involving the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major, deltoid, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi were measured during abduction and flexion. These muscle moment arms were compared with those measured preoperatively in the anatomical shoulders (i.e., before the arthroplasty). Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty resulted in loss of external rotation function in the posterior deltoid subregion. Postoperatively, the inferior subscapularis subregion had the largest internal rotation moment arm overall, whereas the teres minor and the inferior infraspinatus subregion had the greatest external rotation moment arms. The teres minor, infraspinatus, and deltoid subregions were external rotators during abduction, whereas only the teres minor, infraspinatus, and to a small extent the posterior deltoid subregion were external rotators during flexion. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty results in an overall decrease in the external rotation moment arm of the deltoid and increases in the moment arms of the major internal rotators, including the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty may result in complete loss of external rotation function if the teres minor and infraspinatus muscles are damaged.

Comparison of reverse shoulder arthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty for patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Background: Scapular notching can happen at diverse location depending on implant design or operative technique, therefore, it is easily misdiagnosed. Thus, this study purposed to suggest a method helpful to assess scapular notching. Methods: The subjects were 73 cases of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for cuff tear arthropathy during the period from May 2009 to April 2014 and followed-up for over a year. There was medialized RSA in 22 cases, bone increased offset RSA (BIO-RSA) in 36 cases, and metal increased offset RSA (metal-RSA) in 15 cases. Scapular notching was not determined by bone defect at the inferior of glenosphere as Sirveaux’s classification, but scapular notching at the site where the rotational route of the polyethylene of humeral implant met the scapular neck were examined. The results were compared with conventional method. Results: By conventional method, scapular notching was observed in 10 cases (45.5%) in medialized RSA, 12 cases (33.3%) in BIO-RSA, and none in metal-RSA. By new method, it was observed in 9 cases (40.9%) in medialized RSA, 10 cases (27.8%) in BIO-RSA, and none of metal-RSA. The site of scapular notching was apart from glenoshpere in 18 cases, and at inferior of glenosphere in 1 case. Absorption of bone graft was observed in 4 (11.1%) out of 36 cases of BIO-RSA. Conclusions: It is hard to distinguish scapular notching from absorption of bone graft in BIO-RSA, and bone absorption at the lateral lower end of glenoid in medialized RSA. Thus, it is considered useful to assess scapular notching at the site where the rotational route of the polyethylene insert meets scapular neck.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: a reliable treatment method

Background: Shoulder arthroplasty is performed for various etiologies, including osteoarthritis, proximal humerus fractures (PHFs), and rotator cuff tears. While previous studies have focused on outcomes based on implant choice, less is known about the independent effects of surgery type, comorbidities, and fracture status on postoperative outcomes. This study evaluates their influence on length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, and postoperative complications. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 664,545 patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), or hemiarthroplasty (HA) was conducted. Multivariable Poisson and logistic regression models assessed predictors of LOS, mortality, and complications. Results: Among 132,909 patients, 63.3% underwent RTSA, 31.3% underwent ATSA, and 5.4% underwent HA. Mean hospitalization was longest for HA (2.56 days) and RTSA (1.82 days) compared to ATSA (1.39 days; p < 0.001). Poisson regression confirmed that RTSA increased LOS by 24.1% versus ATSA (IRR = 1.24, p < 0.001), while HA had the highest LOS (IRR = 1.58, p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were observed in 8.37% of ATSA, 13.81% of RTSA, and 17.81% of HA cases (overall ~12.3%). Compared with ATSA, RTSA increased the odds of complications (OR = 1.48, p < 0.001), while HA presented the greatest complication risk (OR = 1.51, p < 0.001). Among proximal humerus fracture (PHF) patients (9.9% of the cohort), 84.7% underwent RTSA. PHF independently increased LOS (IRR = 1.61, p < 0.001), mortality (OR = 1.62, p = 0.051), and complications (OR = 2.33, p < 0.001). Conclusions: RTSA is associated with longer hospitalization and higher complication rates, while PHF worsens LOS, mortality, and complication risk.

Background: Long-term clinical and radiographic outcome data after standard cemented long-stem reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) remain underreported. The aim of this study is to report on medium- to long-term data of patients over 60 years of age. Methods: The same type of RSA (Aequalis Reverse II, Memphis, TN, USA) was implanted in 27 patients with a mean age of 73 years (range 61–84). Indications for RSA were cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) in 25 cases and osteoarthritis (OA) in two cases. Pre- and postoperative Constant Score was assessed and component loosening, polyethylene wear, scapular notching and revision rates were recorded at a mean clinical follow-up (FU) of 127.6 months (SD ± 33.7; range 83–185). Results: The mean-adjusted CS (aCS) improved from 30.0 (range 10–59) to 95.0 (range 33–141) points (p < 0.001). Glenoid loosening was found in two (9.1%) and stem loosening was found in three (13.6%) cases. Polyethylene wear was observed in four (18.2%) cases. Scapular notching appeared in 15 (68.2%) cases but was not associated with poor aCS (p = 0.423), high levels of pain (p = 0.798) or external rotation (p = 0.229). Revision surgery was necessary in three (11.1%) cases. Conclusions: RSA with a cemented standard long stem leads to improvement in forward elevation, abduction and pain after a mean FU of 10 years. However, external rotation does not improve with this prosthetic design. Moreover, scapular notching is observed in the majority of cases, and revision rates (11.1%) as well as humeral loosening rates (13.6%) remain a concern. Level of evidence: Level 4, retrospective cohort study.

Biomechanical comparison of 3 latissimus dorsi transfer sites for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in the absence of teres minor.

Reverse polarity total shoulder arthroplasty is an innovation primarily designed to treat the rotator cuff-deficient shoulder by increasing constraint and thereby addressing the challenges of pseudoparalysis. Forward elevation can be regained, pain and quality of life can be improved. Recently, there has been an expansion in both the breadth of indications and the volume of surgeries performed. We aim to review current practice and direction of travel. The impact of rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) is often significant and disabling. This condition is associated with painful arthrosis of the shoulder in conjunction with instability, which allows the humeral head to escape antero-superiorly. The resulting loss of function in the shoulder is aptly described as ‘pseudoparalysis’. Figure 1 shows the normal deltoid function around a shoulder with an intact soft-tissue envelope, and the superior migration that results when the superiorly directed force vector is not neutralised. Conventional anatomical arthroplasty of the shoulder fails to restore function in these patients due to the inadequate stability of the joint around a central point of pivot, combined with an inability of the surrounding muscles to compensate for a weak or torn rotator cuff. Fig. 1 Proximal migration in cuff tear arthropathy with resulting deltoid dysfunction- schematic This combination results in a complex and disabling condition that has vexed shoulder surgeons since the early days of development in shoulder arthroplasty systems. A better understanding of shoulder biomechanics and the mechanisms of failure in total shoulder arthroplasty led to the development of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) designs. While the original indication was CTA, there has been a rapid expansion of indications to include a spectrum of pathologies: proximal humeral fractures and trauma sequelae; massive cuff tears; tumours; primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA); and the revision of failed shoulder arthroplasties. Themistocles Gluck most likely developed a shoulder arthroplasty in the …