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Updated: Nov 19, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Suprascapular Neuropathy From Malpositioned Baseplate Screws in Primary Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: Two Case
Joseph B Kahan1, Joseph Iannotti2, Kenneth Donohue1
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
Cases:
Two patients presented to different surgeons complaining of persistent shoulder pain after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Workups for fracture, instability, and periprosthetic infection were negative. Advanced imaging, nerve conduction studies, and diagnostic injections localized symptoms to the suprascapular nerve. Revision arthroplasty with removal of the offending screws improved pain in both patients.
Conclusion:
Suprascapular nerve irritation because of the malposition of baseplate screws in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty can be a source of postoperative pain. Removal of the offending screw without formal nerve exploration may result in symptomatic improvement.
