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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Reverse total shoulder replacement: intraoperative and early postoperative complications.
Carl Wierks1, Richard L Skolasky, Jong Hun Ji
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 8, 2008
Summary
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) shows a learning curve, with higher complication rates in early cases. This study identified common complications and pitfalls, noting a higher overall rate than previously published.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Shoulder reconstruction
- Arthroplasty outcomes
Background:
- Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is indicated for glenohumeral arthritis with rotator cuff deficiency.
- Reported complication rates for RTSA vary widely, from 0% to 68%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the learning curve for RTSA.
- To identify surgical complications and pitfalls associated with RTSA.
- To compare RTSA outcomes with published data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 20 consecutive RTSA patients treated by a single surgeon.
- Tabulation of intraoperative and postoperative complications.
- Radiographic follow-up at a minimum of 3 months.
Main Results:
- Higher intraoperative complication rates were observed in the first 10 patients compared to the second 10.
- A total of 33 complications occurred in 15 patients (22 intraoperative, 11 postoperative).
- Radiographic findings included scapular notching (11 patients) and heterotopic ossification (9 patients).
Conclusions:
- A learning curve exists for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
- The surgeon's RTSA complication rate in this series exceeded previously published rates.
- Scapular notching and heterotopic ossification are common radiographic findings post-RTSA.
