Conversion of Hemiarthroplasty to Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty with Humeral Stem Retention

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mid-term clinical results of an ongoing case series on conversion reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with a modular prosthesis system. We included 17 elderly patients revised for failed hemiarthroplasty after proximal humeral fracture, of which 13 were converted using a modular reverse shoulder prosthesis. Four could not be converted due to overstuffing. For the conversion RSA, we determined the Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score, visual analogue scale for pain and satisfaction, and range of motion preoperatively, at one year, and at the last follow-up. All measured clinical outcomes improved significantly at both follow-up time points (p < 0.05). The mean duration of surgery was 118.4 min (range: 80.0 to 140.0 min). We observed complications in three patients; these included one late infection and two aseptic stem loosenings. Modular shoulder arthroplasty is a suitable procedure for conversion RSA in elderly patients. All measured postoperative clinical outcomes improved significantly, the complication rate was acceptable, and no prosthesis-related complications occurred. Conversion RSA, although not feasible in every case, is a viable treatment option in the elderly, which can provide successful mid-term results.