Chronic glenohumeral dislocations treated with arthroplasty: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the clinical outcomes and associated predictors of outcomes for chronic glenohumeral dislocations treated with arthroplasty.

A systematic literature search was performed with Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL, BIOSIS, and CINAHL databases from the inception of these databases through January 1, 2021 to identify all articles that examined outcomes or predictors of outcomes of arthroplasty in patients with chronic glenohumeral dislocations. Studies that examined outcomes for patients with a chronic glenohumeral dislocation (≥3 weeks) treated with hemiarthroplasty, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty, or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty were included. Those with acute or subacute dislocations (<3 weeks), fracture dislocations, and those treated with joint preserving treatment modalities were excluded.

We identified 195 articles; of which, 22 (201 patients/205 shoulders) met our inclusion criteria. A total of 14 studies reported outcomes of hemiarthroplasty, 10 studies reported outcomes of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty, and 9 studies reported outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. All studies documented clinical improvement after arthroplasty. Among 16 studies that measured range of motion, all 16 studies demonstrated improvement in range of motion postoperatively. Thirty-one reoperations (15%) were performed across all studies.

We found improved clinical outcomes after arthroplasty for the treatment of chronic glenohumeral fewer dislocations at a long-term follow-up. Some evidence suggests that reverse total shoulder arthroplasty may have superior outcomes and less complications compared with hemiarthroplasty and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. There is insufficient evidence regarding the potential influence that duration of dislocation, direction of dislocation, addition of concomitant procedures, or humeral component retroversion have on outcomes.