[A NEW PLAYER IN THE FIELD OF SHOULDER SURGERY - THE REVERSE SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY]

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in its modern design was first introduced over 25 years ago and approved by the American FDA over ten years ago. This type of prosthesis allows treatment of glenohumeral joint disease among patients with severe rotator cuff deficiency once thought to be inoperable. Modifications to the prosthesis design, along with improved surgical technique, led to better clinical outcomes and lower complication rates, which subsequently led to an increase in the usage of this implant device. The promising results led shoulder specialists to re-assess and expand the indications for surgery, which currently also include complex fractures of the proximal humerus in the elderly population. In this review we will cover the history and evolution of the RSA prosthesis, indications and contraindications, along with up-to-date outcomes and complications.