Revision of shoulder replacement with a reversed shoulder prosthesis (Delta III): report of five cases

The authors report on their experience in revision total shoulder arthroplasty using the Delta III shoulder prosthesis, a reversed constrained prosthesis which is known to give good functional results in the rotator cuff-deficient shoulder. It was implanted in patients with a failed total or hemishoulder prosthesis. The Constant-Murley score was used to assess the functional outcome. The preliminary results achieved in four patients (one bilaterally) are discussed and compared with the results of other treatments. After two years follow-up, the Constant-Murley score has improved from 14/100 preoperatively to 62/100 postoperatively. Although these initially good functional results may be temporary and loosening may occur over the longer term, the authors recommend the Delta III shoulder prosthesis as an alternative solution for revision shoulder arthroplasty.