Hypothesis: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty (RSA) may be indicated in displaced proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients. We hypothesized that tuberosity fixation and healing around the prosthesis would result in better outcomes and patient satisfaction. Methods: Thirty-eight acute displaced or dislocated 3-and 4-part fractures in elderly patients were treated with reattachment of the tuberosities around a RSA. The mean age at surgery was 80 ± 4 years (range, 70-88 years). A specific reverse fracture stem that incorporated a cancellous bone autograft (harvested from the fractured head) and a standardized suturing technique for tuberosity fixation were used in all operations. Patients were evaluated and radiographed with a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean 36 ± 8 months). Results: The tuberosity union rate was 84% (32 of 38). There were 4 tuberosity resorptions and 2 tuberosity migrations with nonunion, which were associated with significantly lower subjective results (Subjective Shoulder Value of 65% vs. 83%, P = .029) and lower active mobility in forward elevation (115°± 26°vs. 141°± 25°, P = .023) and external rotation (11°± 12°vs. 27°± 12°, P = .010). Among the 5 disappointed patients, 3 presented with tuberosity resorption and 2 with tuberosity migration and nonunion. Conclusions: Despite the advanced age of the patients, tuberosity reattachment and use of bone graft results in a high rate of tuberosity healing. Tuberosity reconstruction and healing in reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fractures improves active forward elevation, external rotation, and patient satisfaction.

Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are osteoporotic fractures that affect women over 70 years of age. Like fractures of the femoral neck they have become a public health concern. As the population ages there is an increase in the number of people in poor general condition with an increased risk of falls on fragile bones. The incidence of these fractures has increased by 15% per year. All patients managed for PHF in our center in the past year were included in this prospective study (prospective cohort study; level 2). Three hundred and twenty-five patients were included with 329 fractures. There was a ratio of two women to one man. At the final follow-up 50 patients had died (15%) and 25 patients were lost to follow-up. The mean age was 70 years old. There were two types of risk factors. The first was fragile bones, and the second was patient specific risk of falls. The severity of the fracture increased with the age of the population. In the study by Charles S. Neer in 1970, 85% of PHF were not or were only slightly displaced, while this category percentage was only 42% in our study. Hospitalization was necessary in 43% of the cases in our study. Surgical management was necessary in 21%. This lack of relationship between the percentage of displaced fractures (58%) and the percentage of surgically treated fractures is a sign of the difficulties of managing this population, which is usually in poor general condition.

In elderly patients who have undergone a reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures, anatomic tuberosity healing improves objective and subjective outcomes. GT excision is associated with the worst functional results and increases the risk of postoperative shoulder instability.

IV, Systematic review of literature.