Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Failed Operative Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fractures

Failure after operative treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures (PHF) can prove challenging even for experienced surgeons. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) seems to offer a satisfactory revision procedure with good clinical outcomes.

We present a case series of 14 patients, who were treated during a 3.5 years period (from 01/2016 until 06/2019). They all underwent revision surgery with RSA for failed operative treatment of PHF. Their mean age was 68 years (range, 51-84 years). 2 patients (14.3%) had been primarily treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), 5 patients (35.7%) with hemiarthroplasty, 3 patients (21.4%) with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation and 4 patients (28.6%) with transosseous suture fixation (TSF). We evaluated their absolute Constant score (CS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and Range of Motion at their final follow-up, and we made a full clinical and radiological assessment to detect any postoperative complications.

The mean absolute CS, VAS score, active anterior elevation, active abduction significantly improved compared with the preoperative status. Less significant difference was found in external rotation when comparing with the preoperative status (P = .0304). No significant differences were found when comparing RSA for different failed primary techniques (P > .05). No complications were detected following the revision surgeries of all patients.

RSA is an appropriate treatment as a revision technique for failed primary surgical treatment of PHFs. Though challenging it can offer good clinical results and pain relief.