Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy: a matched cohort study to patients with osteoarthritis

Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience shoulder impairment via spasticity, muscle contractures, and joint instability. Currently, few studies investigate shoulder arthroplasty (SA) in patients with CP. This study reviewed the outcomes of both anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with CP.

Over a 30-year-period, 5 patients undergoing SA (2 TSA, 3 RSA) with a diagnosis of CP were identified. The cohort included 4 male patients with a mean age of 50.4 years (range, 44-58 years). CP patients were matched 1:2 based on age, sex, body mass index, and year of surgery with a group of patients undergoing SA for osteoarthritis (OA).

Survival from implant revision for both TSA and RSA in CP was 100% at both 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Clinical complications were only observed in 2 patients after TSA, with 1 patient requiring revision at 14 years postoperatively. Collectively, there was no difference in the rate of complications and implant survival between patients with CP vs. OA. Prior to the surgical procedure, all CP patients had severe or moderate pain, with no moderate or severe pain postoperatively. Notable postoperative increases from preoperative baselines were noted in forward elevation (57°-106°), abduction (48°-84°), and external rotation (30°-64°). RSA had significantly improved postoperative abduction compared to TSA (97° vs. 64°, P < .01).

SA is a safe, durable procedure in patients with CP to clinically improve pain, function, and satisfaction. RSA was associated with better function and fewer complications than TSA.