Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in an Adult With Achondroplasia

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Skeletal dysplasias

Background:

• Achondroplasia presents unique skeletal challenges, including potential shoulder osteoarthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency.
• Morphologic abnormalities of the humerus and glenoid complicate surgical outcomes in achondroplastic patients.
• The need for long-term functional and durable shoulder prostheses in achondroplasia is critical due to near-normal life expectancy.

Observation:

• A case report details a 2-year clinical outcome for an adult with achondroplastic dwarfism undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
• The patient experienced shoulder osteoarthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency prior to surgery.
• Specific surgical considerations included baseplate fixation and correction of glenoid medialization.

Findings:

• Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) demonstrated positive 2-year clinical results in an adult achondroplastic patient.
• The procedure addressed shoulder osteoarthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency effectively.
• Successful outcomes were achieved despite anatomical challenges.

Implications:

• Reverse TSA is a feasible treatment for shoulder dysfunction in achondroplastic adults.
• Meticulous preoperative planning is essential to manage dysplastic anatomy and ensure optimal surgical results.
• This approach can restore function and durability to the shoulder in this patient population.