Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for chronic rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Massive rotator cuff tears associated with glenohumeral arthritis are currently an unsolvable clinical entity. We review our series of 14 patients with rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) who underwent a bipolar prosthesis of the shoulder. The average follow up was 27.8 months (range, 24-48 months), and the average age was 71 years (range, 57-84 years). Of these 14 patients, 9 were men and 5 women. None of these patients had undergone previous shoulder surgery, and all patients underwent conservative treatment that failed to improve their symptoms or range of motion. Preoperatively, the average active forward flexion was 30 degrees, active external rotation was 10 degrees, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score was 25 points. Postoperatively, the average active forward flexion improved to 88 degrees, active external rotation increased to 37 degrees, and the ASES score improved to 80 points. Of the 14 patients, 12 stated that they had no pain with activities of daily living. Two patients continued to have moderate pain in everyday activity.