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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Tuberosity Repair in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Fracture Using a Stem-based Double-row Repair: A
Brandon J Erickson1, Yousef Shishani, Meghan E Bishop
1From the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, New York, NY (Dr. Erickson, Dr. Bishop, and Dr. Romeo), Banner Sports Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ (Dr. Shishani and Dr. Lederman), and Cleveland Shoulder Institute (Dr. Gobezie), Beachwood, OH.
Introduction:
The optimal tuberosity repair method in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for fracture is unknown.
Methods:
Eight matched pairs of cadaver shoulders were randomly assigned to a stem-based tuberosity repair technique or a nonstem-based repair (Boileau technique) and mechanically tested with a 10 kN load cell. Cyclic loading was performed between 10 and 100 N for 500 cycles at 1 Hz, followed by static pull to failure at 33 mm/s. Ultimate load was determined from the maximum load reached during the pull to failure. A paired Student t-test was used to compare the means of the ultimate load and average cyclic displacement of the two sample groups.
Results:
The ultimate load to failure for the stem-based tuberosity repair technique was significantly higher than the nonstem-based technique (668 ± 164 N versus 483 ± 67 N; P = 0.032). The average cyclic displacement for the stem-based tuberosity repair technique was significantly less than the nonstem-based technique 0 (0.83 ± 0.67 mm versus 3.36 ± 2.36 mm; P = 0.017).
Conclusion:
The stem-based tuberosity repair technique afforded higher ultimate load to failure with less average cyclic displacement than the nonstem-based technique. Consideration to the stem-based technique should be given when performing a tuberosity repair in the setting of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for fracture.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III.
