Outcomes of Bilateral Shoulder Arthroplasties: A Comparison of Bilateral Total Shoulder Arthroplasties and Bilateral Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasties

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of patients who underwent bilateral total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) for osteoarthritis (OA) versus bilateral reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs) for cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). METHODS: Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent bilateral TSAs for OA or bilateral RSAs for CTA with at least 2 years of follow-up. Twenty-six TSA patients (52 shoulders) were matched 2 to 1 with 13 RSA patients (26 shoulders) by sex, age at first surgery, and time between surgeries. Outcomes measured were shoulder range of motion (ROM), complications, and patient-reported scores. RESULTS: Preoperatively, TSA patients had significantly better forward elevation (FE) of both shoulders than RSA patients (dominant side [Dom]: 103° ± 32° vs. 81° ± 31°, p = 0.047; nondominant side [non-Dom]: 111° ± 28° vs. 70° ± 42°, p = 0.005) without significant differences in external (ER) or internal rotation (IR). Postoperatively, TSA patients had significantly better FE (Dom and non-Dom: 156° ± 12°, 156° ± 14° vs. 134° ± 24°, 137° ± 23°; p = 0.006, p = 0.019) and ER (42° ± 11°, 43° ± 10° vs. 24° ± 12°, 25° ± 10°; p < 0.001, p < 0.001) bilaterally and IR of their dominant arm (L1 vs. L4, p = 0.045). TSA patients had significantly better activities of daily living external and internal rotations (ADLEIR) scores (Dom and non-Dom: 35.3 ± 1.0, 35.5 ± 0.9 vs. 32.1 ± 2.4, 32.5 ± 2.2; p = 0.001, p = 0.001), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (94.2 ± 8.4, 94.2 ± 8.2 vs. 84.7 ± 10.0, 84.5 ± 8.0; p = 0.015, p = 0.004), and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE) scores (93.5 ± 7.6, 93.8 ± 11.8 vs. 80.5 ± 14.2, 82.3 ± 13.1; p = 0.014, p = 0.025), with no significant difference in visual analog scale pain scores (0.4 ± 1.0, 0.3 ± 1.0 vs. 0.7 ± 1.3, 0.8 ± 1.2) bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with bilateral TSAs and RSAs exhibited improved ROM and patient-reported outcomes. Those with bilateral TSAs had better functional outcomes than those with bilateral RSAs.

Outcomes of Shoulder Arthroplasty Performed for Postinfectious Arthritis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes, infection rate, and complications associated with shoulder arthroplasty for sequelae of prior septic arthritis. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 17 patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty for sequelae of septic arthritis. Patients were analyzed for patient-reported outcomes, complications, and reoperations. RESULTS: The 17 patients in this cohort were an average age of 65.4 ± 12.2 years old, were 58.8% male, and had an average body mass index of 27.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2. These patients underwent 14 reverse shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs; 11 after antibiotic spacer placement), one anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty after antibiotic spacer placement, and two hemiarthroplasties (both after antibiotic spacer placement). Two patients underwent reoperation (dislocated RSAs). There were four complications (23.5%): two RSA dislocations, one acromial stress fracture, and one atraumatic rotator cuff tear after hemiarthroplasty. There were no cases of postoperative wound complications or infection. At an average of 4.1 ± 1.8 years of follow-up for all 17 of 17 cases, the average visual analogue scale pain score was 4.6 ± 2.3, average Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation Score was 59.3 ± 23.7, average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score was 57.6 ± 15.5, and average Simple Shoulder Test was 6.9 ± 2.6 based on “yes” responses. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty after septic arthritis had inconsistent functional outcomes and high complication rates but no reinfection.