BACKGROUND: Different implant designs are utilized in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty using a traditional (Grammont) prosthesis and a lateralized prosthesis for the treatment of cuff tear arthropathy and massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed via a search of two electronic databases. Two reviewers evaluated the quality of methodology and retrieved data from each included study. In cases where the outcomes data were similar between studies, the data were pooled using frequency-weighted mean values to generate summary outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographics were similar between treatment groups. The frequency-weighted mean active external rotation was 24° in the traditional group and 46° in the lateralized group (p = 0.0001). Scapular notching was noted in 44.9% of patients in the traditional group compared to 5.4% of patients in the lateralized group (p = 0.0001). The rate of clinically significant glenoid loosening was 1.8% in the traditional group and 8.8% in the lateralized group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Both the traditional Grammont and the lateralized offset reverse arthroplasty designs can improve pain and function in patients with diagnoses of cuff tear arthropathy and irreparable rotator cuff tear. While a lateralized design can result in increased active external rotation and decreased rates of scapular notching, there may be a higher rate of glenoid baseplate loosening.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement/adverse effects/instrumentation/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prosthesis Design ; Rotator Cuff/*surgery ; *Shoulder Prosthesis/adverse effects/statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome

Fixation of proximal humerus fractures with precontoured, fixed angle devices has improved operative management of these difficult injuries, particularly in patients with osteoporosis. However, recent data has revealed that fixation with these constructs is not without complications, particularly screw cut-out and loss of reduction. Multiple strategies have been developed to decrease the number of complications. We offer a surgical technique combining suture augmentation of the proximal humerus with locked plate fixation utilizing short screws.
Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation/*instrumentation/*methods ; Humans ; Shoulder Fractures/rehabilitation/*surgery

The coracoacromial ligament (CAL) is frequently observed to be damaged during arthroscopy and it is unclear how demographic, anatomic, and radiographic factors are related to CAL degeneration in full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Methods: A prospective study was conducted of patients at a single institution undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for first-time, full-thickness rotator cuff tears. We evaluated preoperative anteroposterior radiographs to obtain critical shoulder angle, glenoid inclination, acromial index, acromiohumeral distance, lateral acromial angle, and acromial morphology. We documented CAL quality, rotator cuff tear size and pattern during arthroscopy. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors for encountering severe CAL fraying during arthroscopy. Results: Shoulders had mild CAL degeneration in 58.1% of cases, whereas severe CAL degeneration was present in 41.9% of shoulders. Patients with severe CAL attrition were significantly older (62.0 years vs. 58.0 years, P=0.042). Shoulders with severe CAL attrition had large rotator cuff tears in 54.1% of cases (P<0.001), and tears involving the infraspinatus (63.2% vs. 29.6%, P=0.003). The severe degeneration group was more likely to have a larger critical shoulder angle measurement on preoperative radiographs than those in the mild attrition group (36.1°±3.6° [range, 30°–45°] vs. 34.1°±3.8° [range, 26°–45°], P=0.037). Conclusions: While the clinical impact of CAL degeneration remains uncertain, increased severity of CAL degeneration is associated with older age, larger rotator cuff tear size, presence of infraspinatus tearing, and increased preoperative critical shoulder angle. Level of evidence: III.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic spacers in shoulder periprosthetic joint infection deliver antibiotics locally and provide temporary stability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences between stemmed and stemless spacers. METHODS: All spacers placed from 2011 to 2013 were identified. Stemless spacers were made by creating a spherical ball of cement placed in the joint space. Stemmed spacers had some portion in the humeral canal. Operative time, complications, reimplantation, reinfection, and range of motion were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 37 spacers placed: 22 were stemless and 15 were stemmed. The stemless spacer population was older (70.9 ± 7.8 years vs. 62.8 ± 8.4 years, p = 0.006). The groups had a similar percentage of each gender (stemless group, 45% male vs. stemmed group, 40% male; p = 0.742), body mass index (stemless group, 29.1 ± 6.4 kg/m² vs. stemmed group, 31.5 ± 8.3 kg/m²; p = 0.354) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (stemless group, 4.2 ± 1.2 vs. stemmed group, 4.2 ± 1.7; p = 0.958). Operative time was similar (stemless group, 127.5 ± 37.1 minutes vs. stemmed group, 130.5 ± 39.4 minutes). Two stemless group patients had self-resolving radial nerve palsies. Within the stemless group, 15 of 22 (68.2%) underwent reimplantation with 14 of 15 having forward elevation of 109°± 23°. Within the stemmed group, 12 of 15 (80.0%, p = 0.427) underwent reimplantation with 8 of 12 having forward elevation of 94°± 43° (range, 30° to 150°; p = 0.300). Two stemmed group patients had axillary nerve palsies, one of which self-resolved but the other did not. One patient sustained dislocation of reverse shoulder arthroplasty after reimplantation. One stemless group patient required an open reduction and glenosphere exchange of dislocated reverse shoulder arthroplasty at 6 weeks after reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Stemmed and stemless spacers had similar clinical outcomes. When analyzing all antibiotic spacers, over 70% were converted to revision arthroplasties. The results of this study do not suggest superiority of either stemmed or stemless antibiotic spacers.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthroplasty* ; Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Operative Time ; Paralysis ; Prosthesis-Related Infections ; Radial Nerve ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Replantation ; Shoulder*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes, infection rate, and complications associated with shoulder arthroplasty for sequelae of prior septic arthritis. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 17 patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty for sequelae of septic arthritis. Patients were analyzed for patient-reported outcomes, complications, and reoperations. RESULTS: The 17 patients in this cohort were an average age of 65.4 ± 12.2 years old, were 58.8% male, and had an average body mass index of 27.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2. These patients underwent 14 reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs; 11 after antibiotic spacer placement), one anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty after antibiotic spacer placement, and two hemiarthroplasties (both after antibiotic spacer placement). Two patients underwent reoperation (dislocated RSAs). There were four complications (23.5%): two RSA dislocations, one acromial stress fracture, and one atraumatic rotator cuff tear after hemiarthroplasty. There were no cases of postoperative wound complications or infection. At an average of 4.1 ± 1.8 years of follow-up for all 17 of 17 cases, the average visual analogue scale pain score was 4.6 ± 2.3, average Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation Score was 59.3 ± 23.7, average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score was 57.6 ± 15.5, and average Simple Shoulder Test was 6.9 ± 2.6 based on “yes” responses. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty after septic arthritis had inconsistent functional outcomes and high complication rates but no reinfection.
Arthritis, Infectious ; Arthritis, Reactive* ; Arthroplasty* ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Dislocations ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Stress ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Humans ; Male ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder* ; Surgeons ; Tears ; Wounds and Injuries