Midterm clinical outcome of uncemented short-stem reversed shoulder arthroplasty

While the incidence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is increasing constantly, newer implants with designs other than the classic Grammont geometry are gaining importance. More anatomic inclination angles and lateralization are supposed to have a positive impact on clinical results and complication rates. Presentation of midterm results therefore is important to support these assumptions. The aim of this study was to report the midterm clinical outcome of primary rTSA with an uncemented humeral short-stem prosthesis (USSP) with a humeral inclination angle of 145° and the analysis of different variables on the outcome.

This is a retrospective study of all patients with primary rTSA using an USSP and a combined humeral inclination angle of 145° (Ascend™ flex, Stryker) with a minimum clinical follow-up of 2 years. The implant combines a 132.5° inclination for the humeral stem with an additional 12.5° for the polyethylene inlay. Primary outcomes were patient-reported outcome measures: ASES score, simple shoulder test (SST) and subjective shoulder value (SSV). Secondary outcomes were complication and revision rates. We analyzed different variables: preoperatively gender, age, indication for surgery and status of rotator cuff. Also, the glenoid morphology was classified according to Walch and a proximal humerus cortical bone thickness measurement (CBT avg) of 6 mm was used as a threshold for osteoporosis. Postoperatively, we analyzed different radiologic parameters: filling ratio, distalization and lateralization angles according to Boutsiadis.

A total of 84 out of 99 (85%) patients with a mean FU of 46.7 months (range 24-80 months) could be included: 62 women and 22 men with a mean age of 74.7 years. Mean ASES score significantly increased from 47 preoperatively to 85.8 at the last follow-up (p = 0.001). The postoperative SST reached an average of 65.3 and the mean SSV was 83%. None of the variable parameters analyzed could be identified as a risk factor for a lower outcome defined as a SSV < 70. Three patients (3.6%) had a complication: one incomplete lower plexus lesion, one dislocation and one major hematoma. Surgical revision was needed in two cases (2.4%).

The midterm clinical outcome of primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) with an uncemented humeral short stem and a humeral inclination angle of 145° showed good-to-excellent results with a low complication and revision rate independent from a wide range of pre- and postoperative variables. PROMs are comparable to those reported for anatomic TSA with a low complication rate, different to historical studies especially with the Grammont design.

Treatment study, Level IV.