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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Acute-on-Chronic Axillary Artery Thrombus After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Failed Proximal Humerus Open
Ryan A Hoffman1, Oscar Covarrubias, Andrew Green
1Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Case:
A 71-year-old woman presented with post-traumatic arthritis 11 months after open reduction and internal fixation for a left proximal humerus fracture (PHF) dislocation. After revision to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), the patient's left upper extremity was found to be avascular. An emergent thrombectomy was performed with restoration of arterial flow after removal of an acute-on-chronic axillary artery thrombus.
Conclusion:
Although rare, as rTSA becomes more common for management of PHF, incidence of associated vascular injuries is likely to rise. Screening methods and clinical vigilance in diagnosis are advised for patients with anterior PHF dislocations and arterial injury risk factors.
