Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Comparing Inferiorized and Lateralized Glenospheres in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Using the LimaCorporate
Christian Pearsall1, Andrew Lachance1, Carter Whittemore1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Robert Packer Hospital, Guthrie Medical Group PC, Sayre, Pennsylvania.
Background:
Limited evidence compares reoperation, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and mortality between inferiorized and lateralized glenospheres in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA).
Methods:
Single-institution retrospective review was performed of all primary rTSAs performed by a single surgeon using the LimaCorporate SMR Reverse Shoulder System between 2014 and 2025. Demographics, surgical data, reoperation, mortality, and PROs were obtained; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were collected preoperatively and postoperatively between 6 and 12 months. Cumulative incidence of reoperation (CIR) was estimated using competing-risks methodology with death as a competing event; group differences were assessed using Fine-Gray regression. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to adjust for confounding in multivariable regression analyses assessing the association between glenosphere type and each endpoint.
Results:
Overall, 329 inferiorized and 131 lateralized glenospheres were included with respective mean ages of 72.9 and 71.6 years (p=0.60), minimum follow up of 12 months, median follow-up of 31.3 and 12.2 months (p<0.001), and PRO completion percentages of 59% and 64% (p=0.77). There were no significant differences between inferiorized and lateralized glenospheres with respect to 36-month CIR (4.9% versus 4.4%; p=0.37), with similar findings at 12 and 24 months, improvements in ASES (46.2 vs. 50.2; p=0.26) or VAS pain (-4.2 vs. -4.2; p=0.97), minimal clinically important difference achievement for ASES (87.1% vs. 84.5%; p=0.57) or VAS pain (82.5% vs. 78.6%; p=0.50), and mortality (4% vs. 1.5%; p=0.25). Glenosphere type was not significantly associated with CIR, reoperation, PROs, or mortality.
Conclusion:
Within the limitations of this retrospective study, inferiorized and lateralized glenospheres using the LimaCorporate SMR Reverse Shoulder System demonstrated comparable short-term clinical outcomes despite differing follow-up durations between cohorts. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine whether clinically meaningful differences emerge over time.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III, Retrospective Cohort Comparison, Treatment Study.
