Epidemiology and mortality in older patients treated by reverse shoulder arthroplasty for displaced proximal humerus fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is rapidly becoming the preferred treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures in older patients. However, few studies have analyzed the target population and the effect of RSA on survival, although the socioeconomic impact of this type of surgery is considerable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective epidemiological study of all patients with a displaced proximal humeral fracture treated by RSA in 14 public and private hospitals throughout France between 1995 and 2016. The French hospital discharge database (PMSI) was analyzed to isolate an 898-patient cohort who underwent RSA within 6 weeks of the fracture event. In 87% of cases, this was a 3- or 4-fragment fracture. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of the patients at the time of fracture, their survival (Kaplan-Meier estimate) and factors that may impact survival. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of fracture and surgery was 79 years (46-98 years). Eighty percent of the cohort was female (sex ratio: 0.18 [p=0.0042], with 21% obesity rate [BMI>30]) and 60% of patients were ASA 1-2. The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular and neurological. The survival rate after RSA was 94% at 1 year and 73% at 5years. At the latest follow-up of 19 years, 42% of patients were still alive. In 18% of cases, the patient died within the first 15 days. The presence of comorbidities (ASA score>3-4) (p<0.004) and/or cognitive disorders (p<0.0001) were risk factors for early mortality. The time to surgery, type of fracture, associated fractures and discharge destination (return home, transfer to nursing home) had no effect on postoperative mortality in our cohort. CONCLUSION: Despite being older (79 years) at the time of proximal humerus fracture, patients who underwent RSA treatment had a high survival rate (94% at 1 year, 73% at 5years), which is better than the survivorship reported after surgical treatment of femoral neck fractures (81-87% at 1 year, 38% at 5years). The presence of comorbidities (ASA>3-4) and/or cognitive disorders are risk factors for early mortality and should be taken into account to prevent early death. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Retrospective study.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of 17 reverse shoulder arthroplasty cases performed after failed humeral head resurfacing.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the good outcomes with shoulder resurfacing procedures reported by some authors, our team has documented several failures caused by glenoid erosion and rotator cuff rupture, likely due to implant overstuffing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) performed after failed humeral head resurfacing (HHR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study of 17 patients who underwent RSA after failed HHR between January 2011 and February 2016. The mean patient age was 69.4 years and the mean time between HHR and surgical revision was 41 months (14.7-73.5±18.8). Preoperative ultrasonography and CT were used to evaluate the condition of the rotator cuff, extent of glenoid erosion and to look for signs of humeral cup loosening. The clinical outcomes were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using the simple shoulder test (SST), DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and the Constant-Murley score. Pain was estimated using a visual analog scale (VAS). The range of motion (ROM) was determined pre- and postoperatively. All patients had standard AP and lateral X-ray views of the shoulder taken as part of their postoperative follow-up protocol to look for implant loosening. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 35.9 months (24-59±10.7). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All the functional scores were improved after RSA. The median weighted Constant score preoperatively was 46% (36; 62) while it was 92% postoperatively (78; 100) (p<0.0001). The active ROM improved by 65° in forward flexion (p=0.0003) and by 30° in external rotation (p=0.002). On X-rays, we identified one patient with Sirveaux stage 4 glenoid notching and one patient with a humeral periprosthetic radiolucent line less than 2mm thick in zone 6, with no clinical consequences. CONCLUSION: The excellent outcomes after RSA for failed HHR in our study are similar to the ones reported when RSA is performed for cuff tear arthropathy.