Anatomic and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients Older Than 80 Years

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are routinely performed in patients older than 80 years. Often unaware of the differences between the 2 procedures, patients may expect similar outcomes from these procedures. This article reports the outcomes of primary TSA and RSA in patients older than 80 years, with attention directed toward differences in outcomes between the procedures. The authors evaluated a consecutive series of patients who were at least 80 years old and were treated with primary shoulder arthroplasty and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Of these patients, 18 underwent primary TSA for osteoarthritis and 33 underwent primary RSA for rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Pain scores, function scores, and range of motion were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up. Perioperative and postoperative complications, transfusion rates, length of stay, and subjective satisfaction with the outcome were reported. In these patients, TSA and RSA were similarly effective in improving pain scores, functional scores, and range of motion measurements. Patients who had TSA reported significantly greater satisfaction with surgery and had superior American Shoulder and Elbow Society total and function scores, forward elevation, and external rotation, but similar net improvement from preoperative levels. Although no significant differences were shown in complications, length of stay, or requirement for transfusion, patients treated with RSA had higher rates of transfusion and postoperative complications. Both procedures were similarly effective treatments for patients older than 80 years and showed similar improvements in pain, function, and motion. Patients undergoing RSA were less likely to have good to excellent results, with higher complication and transfusion rates.