Reverse shoulder arthroplasty in complex fractures of the proximal humerus: results after 7 years of follow-up

Abstract Background There is still little information about the long-term results of clinical and radiological evolution in patients older than 65 years with complex proximal humerus fractures (CPHF) treated acutely with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The aim of this paper was to evaluate function and results 7 years after surgery. Material and methods A prospective cross-sectional cohort study was designed for this purpose. Patients who underwent RSA surgery during 2012 because of a CPHF were included. The surgical approach was randomized (deltopectoral vs anterosuperior). Functional activity, evolution of tuberosities and evidence of scapular notching 7 years after surgery were analyzed. Results After evaluating 32 patients, the Constant score improved from 64.83 in the first year to 69.54 at 7 years postoperative. Results were independent of the approach used. Functional outcomes were poorer in patients with scapular notching and when tuberosities were resorbed or displaced. Conclusions At 7 years, function in patients undergoing RSA after CPHF demonstrated improvement in all patients except those who developed scapular notching or when tuberosities did not consolidate in an anatomical position. These results are completely independent of the approach used. Level of evidence III Controlled cohort study.

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Bipolar lateralization in reverse shoulder arthroplasty for avoidance of scapular notching

Obere Extremität ◽

10.1007/s11678-020-00594-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 207-212

Author(s):

Patric Raiss ◽

Rainer Neumann

Keyword(s):

Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

External Rotation ◽

Constant Score ◽

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Scapular Notching ◽

Neck Shaft Angle ◽

Shoulder Flexion

Abstract Introduction Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become a well-established treatment option for multiple disorders of the shoulder joint. In recent years, implant designs and configurations have been modified in order to improve function and avoid complications. Lateralization on the glenoid and the humeral side has been described to improve function and decrease radiographic scapular notching. Data on the clinical and radiographic results of bipolar lateralization in RSA are lacking. Methods In 38 cases, RSA was performed using an uncemented humeral short-stem component with a 145° neck–shaft angle in combination with bone lateralization on the glenoid side (Bony Increased-Offset Reversed Shoulder Arthroplasty, BIO-RSA; Wright Medical Inc., Memphis, TN, USA). Mean follow-up was 19 months (range 12–34 months). Patients were followed clinically using the Constant score as well as range of motion for shoulder flexion and external rotation. Radiographs in two different plains were analyzed for implant seating and the occurrence of scapular notching. Results There was a significant increase in all measured clinical parameters. Forward flexion increased from a mean of 75° preoperatively to 151° postoperatively, and mean Constant score increased from 21 to 71 points postoperatively (p < 0.001). Glenoid notching of grade 1 according to Sirveuax was observed in 3 out of 35 cases (9%); no grade 2, 3, or 4 notching was present. Revision surgery was necessary in one case (3%). Conclusion RSA with bipolar lateralization leads to excellent clinical outcomes, low complication rates, and low rates of radiographic scapular notching. Longer follow-up and prospective randomized trials are needed. Level of evidence Level IV.

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Reverse shoulder arthroplasty-early results

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine ◽

10.52142/omujecm.38.3.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 216-220

Author(s):

Ferhat SAY ◽

Numan KUYUBAŞI ◽

Ahmet PİŞKİN ◽

Murat BÜLBÜL

Keyword(s):

Rotator Cuff ◽

Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Proximal Humerus ◽

External Rotation ◽

Constant Score ◽

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Fracture Group ◽

Scapular Notching ◽

Early Results ◽

Rotator Cuff Arthropathy

Although reverse shoulder arthroplasty is used in massive rotator cuff tears, it is also used in proximal humerus fractures and shoulder arthroplasty revision. In this study, we aimed to examine the early radiological and clinical results of patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty with different diagnoses. Between 2010 and 2013, reverse shoulder arthroplasty was applied to 10 patients (4 men, 6 women) with the diagnosis of arthropathy due to rotator cuff tear (n: 7), multi-fragmentary proximal humerus fracture (n: 2) and hemiarthroplasty revision (n: 1). The median age of the patients was 74 (64-85) years and the median follow-up was 15.5 (3-35) months. Patients were assessed in terms of joint range of motion, Constant score and Visual Pain Scale (VAS) and radiological examinations before and after surgery. Preoperative active shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation degrees of the patients were 65, 30, 40 and 50 degrees, and 105, 95, 30, 57.5 degrees respectively in their final controls. Constant score was 20.5 (14-63) preoperatively, and 54.5 (38-64) in the final controls (p˂0.05). While the preoperative VAS was 7 (3-9), it was found to be 1.5 (1-3) in the final controls (p˂0.05). As a complication, scapular notching was observed in one patient. Internal external rotation values were better in the rotator cuff arthropathy group than the fracture group. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty, especially in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff arthropathy, has good early results and a low complication rate. We recommend paying attention to the glenoid component location to avoid scapular notching.

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Is limited external rotation after reverse shoulder arthroplasty associated with glenoidal notching?

Obere Extremität ◽

10.1007/s11678-021-00668-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Grob ◽

Samy Bouaicha ◽

Marco Germann ◽

Sabra Germann ◽

Christian Gerber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rotator Cuff ◽

Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Radiographic Progression ◽

External Rotation ◽

Constant Score ◽

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Scapular Notching ◽

Cuff Tear ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a valuable solution for patients with shoulder pain or injury primarily due to a rotator cuff tear or secondary to traumatic events. Nevertheless, several complications are known to appear, with the most frequent being scapular notching (SN) on the inferior and posterior scapular neck. Controversial data exist about the clinical relevance of SN. Since further consequences are still not clearly understood, we aimed to provide more clarity on which factors, especially external rotation (ER), contribute to the appearance and progress of notching. Methods Constant Score (CS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), flexion, abduction, and ER were evaluated retrospectively in 153 shoulders of 147 patients (mean age 79±7.7 years; 62% women) who underwent RSA between 2005 and 2010. Anteroposterior radiographs were evaluated before and 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after RSA for SN according to the Sirveaux classification. The evaluation was performed by two independent surgeons. Spearman’s coefficient and t-test were used. Results CS, SSV, flexion, and abduction increased significantly 1 year after RSA compared to before (all p < 0.0001). No improvement was shown for ER between the same timepoints. Between 2 and 5 years of follow-up, only flexion decreased by 5°(p = 0.02) while CS, SSV, abduction, and ER remained constant. After RSA, notching increases over time. There was no association between SN and CS, SSV, flexion, abduction or ER at any of the measured timepoints. Higher flexion correlated with higher abduction after RSA at every follow-up (1 year r = 0.88, 2 years r = 0.89, 3 years r = 0.86, 5 years r = 0.86). The interrater correlation test showed a strong correlation (r = 0.7). Conclusion We verified the functional benefits of RSA for patients. Additionally, our findings show that despite radiographic progression of notching and unchanged limited ER, the postoperative improvements in CS, SSV, flexion, and abduction are preserved over 5 years.

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Fracture-Specific and Conventional Stem Designs in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Acute Proximal Humerus Fractures—A Retrospective, Observational Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

Jan-Philipp Imiolczyk ◽

Philipp Moroder ◽

Markus Scheibel

Keyword(s):

Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Proximal Humerus ◽

Bone Ingrowth ◽

External Rotation ◽

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty ◽

Proximal Humerus Fractures ◽

Stem Design ◽

Lesser Tuberosity ◽

Scapular Notching ◽

Humerus Fractures

Tuberosity healing and stem design can be outcome-dependent parameters in hemiarthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures (PHF). The relevance of fracture-specific stem design in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is still a matter of debate. This retrospective study evaluates tuberosity healing and function for fracture specific stems (A) compared to conventional stems (B) in RSA for complex PHF in 26 patients (w = 21, mean age 73.5 years). Clinically, range of motion (ROM), Constant-Murley-Score (CS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and external rotation lag signs (ERLS) were evaluated. Healing of greater tuberosity (GT) and lesser tuberosity (LT), scapular notching, and loosening were examined radiologically. There were no statistical significant differences with regards to CS (A: 73 ± 11; B: 77 ± 9 points), SSV (A: 78% ± 11%; B: 84% ± 11%), external rotation (A: 18° ± 20°; B: 24° ± 19°), or internal rotation (A: 5.7 ± 2.2; B: 6.7 ± 2.8 CS-points) (p > 0.05). Mean forward flexion was superior for group A (p = 0.036). Consolidation of GT (82%) and LT (73%) was similar in both groups. Anatomical healing was slightly higher in group B (p > 0.05). Scapular notching was found in 27% (A) and 55% (B) (p > 0.05). RSA for PHF provides good to excellent clinical results. The quantitative and qualitative union rate for both cohorts was similar, indicating that fracture stems with open metaphyseal designs to allow for bone ingrowth do not improve tuberosity healing. ERLS correlates with a worse function in CS and ROM in all planes.

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