Clinical and radiological outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute fracture in the elderly

Purpose

The goal of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes associated with anatomic healing of the greater tuberosity in patients treated for proximal humerus fractures with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Our hypothesis was that anatomic healing of the greater tuberosity leads to less complications and better functional outcomes.

Results

Patients from the GT+ group presented better functional outcomes than the GT− group in all evaluated outcomes. Mean constant score was 61 ± 14 versus 56 ± 15, and the subjective shoulder value (SSV) was 77 ± 14 versus 64 ± 21 (p < 0.001). Forward elevation was 128° ± 28° versus 107° ± 30° and external rotation was 23° ± 17° versus 14° ± 17° (p < 0.001). Twenty patients presented with at least one prosthetic dislocation (7 GT+ vs 13 GT−) while nine patients were revised for humeral loosening (1 GT+ vs 8 GT−). The use of a fracture specific humeral stem was associated with a higher rate of greater tuberosity healing.

Conclusions

Non-anatomic healing of the greater tuberosity was associated with a higher dislocation and humeral loosening rate. Anatomic healing of the greater tuberosity lead to better functional outcomes, less humeral-sided complications, and fewer re-operations.