Arthroscopic Excision for Painful Acromial Fracture Nonunion After Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Acromial stress fracture is a well-known complication after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Although some patients are asymptomatic, others may present with reproducible pain to palpation and signs of impingement. Generally, the initial mode of treatment is conservative; however, surgical intervention is considered in patients with painful nonunion and displaced fragments. Although open reduction techniques are most common, Levy type I fragments may be amenable to excision. This technical note provides a stepwise approach to arthroscopic excision for painful nonunited acromial stress fractures after reverse shoulder arthroplasty.