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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Anatomic greater tuberosity healing does not influence the functional outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for
E Cassart Masnou1, R Pérez Andrés1, E Mora Solé1
1Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
To investigate the functional outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in acute complex proximal humerus fractures (PHF) in patients with an anatomic greater tuberosity union in comparison to patients with a displaced or resorbed tuberosity.
Method:
It is a retrospective study with prospective data collection including 32 consecutive PHF with a minimum two-year follow-up treated with RSA. A radiological study and a CT scan were performed specifically for the study. Two shoulder surgeons and a musculoskeletal radiologist assessed the position and union of the greater tuberosity. The functional outcomes were assessed with the Constant-Murley, DASH, ASES and ADLER scores.
Results:
The mean overall CS was 59.55. In 17 cases, the greater tuberosity healed in an anatomical position. In 15 cases, it was non-anatomical. In 53% of patients, greater tuberosity union was obtained. The CS was 62.76 in the anatomic union group and 55.9 in the non-anatomic union group. No significant differences were observed. No differences were observed in the ASES, DASH and ADLER scores.
Conclusion:
After RSA for PHF, anatomic greater tuberosity healing was obtained in 53% of patients. The influence of the position and union of the greater tuberosity on the functional results could not be evidenced.
