Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Transverse Periprosthetic Fracture With a Bent Stem Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty - A Case Report
James H Padley1, Emanuel-Youssef Dib1, Alexander R Zhu2
1Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Introduction:
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is increasingly performed, with a corresponding rise in associated complications such as periprosthetic fractures. Although implant failure and loosening are well documented, deformation of a humeral stem without loosening has not been previously reported.
Case Report:
A 77-year-old woman, 9 years after an RTSA, presented with left shoulder pain after a fall. Initial radiographs revealed a transverse periprosthetic proximal diaphyseal fracture and a deformed humeral component. She was treated nonoperatively with range-of-motion exercises and pain management. One year later, radiographs confirmed fracture healing, and the patient had no pain and had regained full motion.
Conclusion:
This is the first reported case of deformation of a humeral stem in a shoulder arthroplasty. Nonoperative management was successful for fracture healing.
