Short-term comparative outcomes between reverse shoulder arthroplasty for shoulder trauma and shoulder arthritis: a Southeast Asian experience

Abstract

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), first introduced as a management option for cuff tear arthropathy, is now an accepted treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures. Few studies have identified whether the outcomes of RSA for shoulder trauma are comparable to those of RSA for shoulder arthritis. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of all patients who underwent RSA at our institution between January 2013 and December 2019. In total, 49 patients met the inclusion criteria. As outcomes, we evaluated the 1-year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant shoulder scores, postoperative shoulder range of motion, intra- and postoperative complications, and cumulative revision rate. The patients were grouped based on preoperative diagnosis to compare postoperative outcomes across two broad groups. Results: The median follow-up period was 32.8 months (interquartile range, 12.6–66.6 months). The 1-year visual analog scale, range of motion, and Constant and ASES functional scores were comparable between RSAs performed to treat shoulder trauma and that performed for arthritis. The overall complication rate was 20.4%, with patients with a preoperative diagnosis of arthritis having significantly more complications than those with a preoperative diagnosis of trauma (34.8% vs. 7.7%). Conclusions: Patients who underwent RSA due to a proximal humeral fracture or dislocation did not fare worse than those who underwent RSA for arthritis at 1 year, in terms of both functional and radiological outcomes.

Return to Sports Activity After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

“…14 Over the past decades, indications for RTSA have been expanded to proximal humeral fracture, irreparable rotator cuff tear (RCT) without glenohumeral osteoarthritis, primary osteoarthritis with glenoid bone loss and intact rotator cuff, and infections. 3 , 19 , 21 , 37 , 38 More RTSA procedures are performed globally as the indications extend to younger patients and the active elderly population. 9 , 36 , 42 Therefore, clinicians should focus not only on pain or daily activity but also on the ability to resume sports activity after RTSA because the expectation for sports activity after RTSA is increasing.…”