Pectoralis major tendon transfer in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with irreparable subscapularis: surgical technique and preliminary clinical and radiological results.

Hypothesis/Background: Addressing irreparable subscapularis in conjunction with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) presents challenges. RTSA without subscapularis repair leads to similar clinical results compared to those with a subscapularis repair but with less range of motion in internal rotation (IR). Optimization of IR and anterior stability after RTSA, in the setting of an irreparable subscapularis may be achieved with a pectoralis major (PM) tendon transfer. This study aims to describe a novel surgical technique involving PM transfer in RTSA for irreparable subscapularis and report the initial clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods: This study included 13 patients with an average of 65.5 years (range, 52-82 years). All patients underwent a lateralized RTSA with concurrent PM transfer, associated to an irreparable subscapularis, performed by a single surgeon (PV). Preoperative and postoperative range of motion, including internal rotation 1, internal rotation 2, external rotation 1 (ER1) and forward elevation, were measured. The absolute Constant score, the age and sex-adjusted Constant Murley score, Visual Analog Scale and subjective shoulder value were evaluated by the same surgeon. Standard X-rays, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scan were performed for all patients. Results: With an average follow-up of 37 months, the mean Constant score improved from 17.7 preoperatively to 61 postoperative (P < .05). Postoperative clinical outcomes significantly improved across the study group. Mean internal rotation 2 increased from 44.6° to 61.5° (P < .05), while internal rotation 1 improved from 2.6 to 5 (P < .05). The Gerber test yielded positive results for all patients, while the belly press test was negative for eleven patients. Postoperative imaging assessment of the transferred PM tendon transfer showed intact repair, a good cicatrization on the lesser tuberosity with excellent trophicity of the muscle without any fatty infiltration in all patients. Conclusion: PM transfer combined with a lateralized RSTA in cases of irreparable subscapularis leads to improved shoulder range of motion, particularly in IR, increased strength and pain relief.

Delayed elective total shoulder arthroplasty: causes and eventual outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for delays in planned total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and determine the perioperative outcomes of TSAs that experienced a delay. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried from 2006 to 2019 for primary TSA. Delayed TSA was defined as surgery that occurred greater than one day after hospital admission. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and post-operative complications were collected and compared; the incidence of delayed TSA was analyzed. RESULTS: The delayed patients were older, had a higher BMI, a higher rate of recent prior major surgery, and more comorbidities. Delayed patients had higher rates of postoperative complications, return to the OR, and 30-day readmission. Between 2006 and 2019, the rate of delayed TSA decreased. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should take care to ensure that patients with comorbidities undergo thorough preoperative clearance to prevent same-day cancellations and postoperative complications.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Internal Brace Using Linked Knotless Suture Anchors.

This article presents an adaptation of the internal brace ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair technique using knotless suture anchors, which shows promise for improved postsurgical functionality and a shortened recovery period in patients with UCL injuries. Traditional methods of UCL reconstruction often require a lengthy 12- to 18-month recovery period, presenting a significant challenge for athletes keen to return to their sport. The modified technique uses smaller sutures and drill holes, thereby eliminating the need for larger anchors and simplifying the surgical process. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive exploration of the rehabilitation protocol involved after surgery, which includes various phases of physical therapy and use of the "thrower's ten" program to improve shoulder and elbow stability, strength, and mobility. This technique paves the way for a promising alternative to traditional UCL reconstruction or repair methods, with the potential to significantly enhance clinical outcomes, improve recovery times, and positively impact athletes' lives.

Predictive factors influencing internal rotation following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is increasingly used as a treatment modality for various pathologies. The purpose of this review is to identify preoperative risk factors associated with loss of internal rotation (IR) after RTSA. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Scopus were queried. The inclusion criteria were as follows: articles in English language, minimum 1-year follow-up postoperatively, study published after 2012, a minimum of 10 patients in a series, RTSA surgery for any indication, and explicitly reported IR. The exclusion criteria were as follows: articles whose full text was unavailable or that were unable to be translated to English language, a follow-up of less than 1 year, case reports or series of less than 10 cases, review articles, studies in which tendon transfers were performed at the time of surgery, procedures that were not RTSA, and studies in which the range of motion in IR was not reported. RESULTS: The search yielded 3792 titles, and 1497 duplicate records were removed before screening. Ultimately, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 5124 patients who underwent RTSA. Three studies found that poor preoperative functional IR served as a significant risk factor for poor postoperative IR. Eight studies addressed the impact of subscapularis, with 4 reporting no difference in IR based on subscapularis repair and 4 reporting significant improvements with subscapularis repair. Among studies with sufficient power, BMI was found to be inversely correlated with degree of IR after RTSA. Preoperative opioid use was found to negatively affect IR. Other studies showed that glenoid retroversion, component lateralization, and individualized component positioning affected postoperative IR. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that preoperative IR, individualized implant version, preoperative opioid use, increased body mass index and increased glenoid lateralization were all found to have a significant impact on IR after RTSA. Studies that analyzed the impact of subscapularis repair reported conflicting results.

Impact of opioid dependence on outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The opioid epidemic is a well-established problem encountered in orthopedic surgery in the United States. Evidence in lower extremity total joint arthroplasty and spine surgery suggests a link between chronic opioid use and increased expense and rates of surgical complications. The purpose of this study was to study the impact of opioid dependence (OD) on the short-term outcomes following primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). METHODS: A total of 58,975 patients undergoing primary anatomic and reverse TSA were identified using the National Readmission Database from 2015 to 2019. Preoperative opioid dependence status was used to divide patients into 2 cohorts, with 2089 patients being chronic opioid users or having opioid use disorders. Preoperative demographic and comorbidity data, postoperative outcomes, cost of admission, total hospital length of stay (LOS), and discharge status were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted to control for the influence of independent risk factors other than OD on postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to nonopioid-dependent patients, OD patients undergoing TSA had higher odds of postoperative complications including any complications within 180 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-1.7), readmission within 180 days (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.5), revision within 180 days (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.1), dislocation (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.9), bleeding (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.4), and gastrointestinal complication (OR 14, 95% CI 4.3-48). Total cost ($20,741 vs. $19,643), LOS (1.8 ± 1.8 days vs. 1.6 ± 1.7 days), and likelihood for discharge to another facility or home with home health care (18 vs. 16% and 23% vs. 21%, respectively) were higher in patients with OD. CONCLUSION: Preoperative opioid dependence was associated with higher odds of postoperative complications, rates of readmission and revision, costs, and health care utilization following TSA. Efforts focused on mitigating this modifiable behavioral risk factor may lead to better outcomes, lower complications, and decreased associated costs.

Perioperative complications and outcomes in patients with paraplegia undergoing rotator cuff repair.

Background: Patients with paraplegia often experience chronic shoulder pain due to overuse. We sought to determine if these patients have an increased prevalence of perioperative complications and higher rates of re-admissions and rotator cuff re-tears relative to able-bodied controls following rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods: We queried the NRD (2011-2018) to identify all patients undergoing primary RCR (n = 34,451) and identified cohorts of matched paraplegic and non-paraplegic patients (n = 194 each). We compared demographic factors, comorbidity profiles, perioperative complication rates, length of stay, revision rates, and re-admission rates between the two groups. Results: Patients with paraplegia had lower rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.02), hypertension (p = 0.007), congestive heart failure (p = 0.027), obesity (p < 0.001), and prior myocardial infarction (p = 0.01). Additionally, patients with paraplegia experienced higher rates of urinary tract infections (11.9% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001), lower rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (0% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.041), and had a longer length of stay (4-days vs. 1-day, p < 0.001). Revision rates were similar for the two groups. Conclusions: Compared to matched controls, patients with paraplegia were found to have similar demographic characteristics, less comorbidities, similar perioperative complication rates, and similar revision rates. These findings address a gap in the literature regarding surgical management of shoulder pain in patients with paraplegia by providing a matched comparison with a large sample size.

Outcome and complication comparison for intramedullary nail versus open reduction internal fixation in humeral diaphyseal fractures for 2800 matched patient pairs utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

INTRODUCTION: Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and intramedullary nail fixation (IMN) are the predominant repair methods for operative treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures; however, the optimal method is not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether IMN or ORIF humeral diaphyseal surgeries result in a significantly higher prevalence of adverse outcomes and whether these outcomes were age dependent. We hypothesize there is no difference in reoperation rates and complications between IMN and ORIF for humeral diaphyseal fractures. METHODS: Data collected from 2015 to 2017 from the Nationwide Readmissions Database were evaluated to compare the prevalence of six adverse outcomes: radial nerve palsy, infections, nonunion, malunion, delayed healing, and revisions. Patients treated for a primary humeral diaphyseal fracture with either IMN or ORIF were matched and compared (n = 2,804 pairs). Patients with metastatic cancer were excluded. RESULTS: Following an ORIF procedure, there was a greater odds of undergoing revision surgery (p = 0.03) or developing at least one of the complications of interest (p = 0.03). In the age-stratified analysis, no significant differences were identified in the prevalence of adverse outcomes between the IMN and ORIF cohorts in the 0-19, 20-39, and 40-59 age groups. Patients who were 60 + had 1.89 times the odds of experiencing at least one complication and 2.04 times the odds of undergoing a revision after an ORIF procedure versus an IMN procedure (p = 0.03 for both). DISCUSSION: IMN and ORIF for humeral diaphyseal fractures are comparable in regard to complications revision rates in patients under the age of 60. Meanwhile, patients 60 + years show a statistically significant increase in the odds of undergoing revision surgery or experiencing complications following an ORIF. Since IMN appears to be more beneficial to older patients, being 60 + years old should be considered when determining fracture repair techniques for patients presenting with primary humeral diaphyseal fractures.

Comparison of long-term clinical and radiological outcomes for cemented keel, cemented peg, and hybrid cage glenoids with anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty using the same humeral component.

Aims: The aim of this study was to longitudinally compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) up to long-term follow-up, when using cemented keel, cemented peg, and hybrid cage peg glenoid components and the same humeral system. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a multicentre, international clinical database of a single platform shoulder system to compare the short-, mid-, and long-term clinical outcomes associated with three designs of aTSA glenoid components: 294 cemented keel, 527 cemented peg, and 981 hybrid cage glenoids. Outcomes were evaluated at 4,746 postoperative timepoints for 1,802 primary aTSA, with a mean follow-up of 65 months (24 to 217). Results: Relative to their preoperative condition, each glenoid cohort had significant improvements in clinical outcomes from two years to ten years after surgery. Patients with cage glenoids had significantly better clinical outcomes, with higher patient-reported outcome scores and significantly increased active range of motion, compared with those with keel and peg glenoids. Those with cage glenoids also had significantly fewer complications (keel: 13.3%, peg: 13.1%, cage: 7.4%), revisions (keel: 7.1%, peg 9.7%, cage 3.5%), and aseptic glenoid loosening and failure (keel: 4.7%, peg: 5.8%, cage: 2.5%). Regarding radiological outcomes, 70 patients (11.2%) with cage glenoids had glenoid radiolucent lines (RLLs). The cage glenoid RLL rate was 3.3-times (p < 0.001) less than those with keel glenoids (37.3%) and 4.6-times (p < 0.001) less than those with peg glenoids (51.2%). Conclusion: These findings show that good long-term clinical and radiological outcomes can be achieved with each of the three aTSA designs of glenoid component analyzed in this study. However, there were some differences in clinical and radiological outcomes: generally, cage glenoids performed best, followed by cemented keel glenoids, and finally cemented peg glenoids.

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced patient stressors and changes to perioperative protocols in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on various patient outcomes and satisfaction following elective TSA. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 147 patients who underwent primary TSA at a single institution between June 2019 and December 2020. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: pre-COVID (June 2019-March 2020; n = 74) and post-COVID (April 2020-December 2020; n = 73). No elective TSA were performed between 10 March 2020 and 23 April 2020 at our institution. Data were collected prospectively both pre- and postoperatively. Range of motion (ROM) testing included active abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) included global shoulder function, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Visual Analog Scale pain scoring systems, and patient satisfaction. ROM and PROMs were compared at preoperative, 3-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up intervals. Operative time, length of stay (LOS), 90-day readmission, and 90-day reoperation were also compared. Results: There were no differences in baseline patient characteristics. The operative time, LOS, home discharge rate, readmission, and reoperation did not differ between groups. For both cohorts, the PROMs and ROM improved at each follow-up visit postoperatively. While preoperative abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation were significantly greater in the post-COVID group, all ROM measures were similar at 3-month and 12-month follow-up visits. There was no difference in pain, global function, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, or patient satisfaction between groups at all time intervals. Conclusions: Patients undergoing elective TSA amidst the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate excellent PROMs, ROM, and high satisfaction up to 12-months postoperatively that are comparable to pre-pandemic standards. Operative time, LOS, discharge destination, as well as 90-day readmission and reoperation rates were not impacted by the pandemic. Patients can expect similar outcomes for TSA when comparing pre-COVID to post-COVID as the pandemic continues.

How using body mass index cutoffs to determine eligibility for total shoulder arthroplasty affects health care disparities.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in the United States is continuously rising and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Body mass index (BMI) has been used as a risk stratification and counseling tool for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty in an effort to focus on outcome-driven care. Although the use of BMI cutoffs may have benefits in minimizing complications when selecting patients for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), it may impact access to care for some patient populations and further increase disparities. The purpose of this study is to determine the implications of using BMI cutoffs on the eligibility for TSA among different ethnic and gender patient populations. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify 20,872 patients who underwent anatomic and reverse TSA between 2015 and 2019. Patient demographics, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, and BMI, were compared between eligible and ineligible patients based on BMI for 5 cutoff values: 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 kg/m2. RESULTS: Of the total patient population studied, the mean age was 69 years, 55% were female, and the mean BMI was 31 kg/m2. For all BMI subgroups, there were more ineligible than eligible patients who were female or Black (P < .001). The relative rate of eligibility for Black patients was lower in each BMI cutoff group, whereas the relative rate of eligibility for White and Asian patients was higher for each group. There were more eligible than ineligible Asian patients for BMI cutoffs of 30 and 35 kg/m2 (both P < .001), and there were no differences in eligibility and ineligibility in Hispanic patients (P > .05). Furthermore, White patients were more eligible than ineligible for all BMI cutoff groups (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Enforcing BMI cutoffs for access to TSA may limit the procedure for female or Black patients for all BMI cutoffs, thus furthering the health care disparities these populations already face. However, there are more eligible than ineligible White patients for all BMI cutoff groups, which indicates a disparity in the access to TSA based on sex and race. Physicians may inadvertently increase health care disparities observed in TSA if they use BMI as the sole risk stratification tool for patients, even though BMI has been known to increase complications after TSA. Moreover, orthopedic surgeons should only use BMI as one of many factors in a more holistic process when determining if a patient should undergo TSA.

Comparison of Efficiency and Effectiveness Between a Slap Hammer and Rigid C-Frame Device for Extraction of an Intramedullary Nail.

BACKGROUND: Removal of orthopaedic intramedullary implants can be difficult and time-consuming. Instrumentation for implant removal is frequently deficient for effective removal. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of a C-type jig with a standard slap hammer attachment. We hypothesize that a C-type jig will be a more energy-efficient method for implant removal. METHODS: An intramedullary (IM) nail removal was simulated in a series of 10 tests using 40 PCF Sawbones bone blocks with drilled holes and custom-made IM nails. Each attachment was secured to a Shukla Medical threaded connector from their IM nail revision product. A camera recorded each hammer swing, and a caliper recorded the distance the nail traveled out of the bone block. The data were then analyzed to determine extraction rate and efficiency. RESULTS: The c-frame hammer exerted a greater force, had a greater extraction efficiency, and required 37.4% less energy expenditure than the slap hammer to extract the nail the same distance. The c-frame hammer also removed the nail 38.1% faster with the same energy expenditure and possessed greater usable kinetic energy, whereas the slap hammer had more "lost" energy. CONCLUSIONS: The c-frame hammer attachment was found to have a considerably higher extraction rate and efficiency than the slap hammer. It will be a more useful method of implant extraction, especially for cases involving larger bones or larger implants. However, the slap hammer may be more suitable for smaller tools or bones for which larger impact loading would be detrimental.

Aseptic glenoid baseplate loosening after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with a single prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Early reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) designs had high failure rates, mainly from loosening of the glenoid baseplate. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of aseptic glenoid baseplate loosening after primary rTSA using a contemporary medialized glenoid-lateralized humerus system and identify significant risk factors associated with loosening. METHODS: A total of 7162 patients underwent primary rTSA with a single-platform rTSA system between April 2007 and August 2021; of these primary rTSA patients, 3127 with a minimum 2-year follow-up period were identified. Patients with aseptic glenoid baseplate loosening were compared with all other primary rTSA patients without loosening. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare these cohorts and identify the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, operative parameters, and implant characteristics associated aseptic glenoid loosening after rTSA. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each significant risk factor and for multiple combinations of risk factors. RESULTS: Irrespective of minimum follow-up, 53 of 7162 primary rTSA shoulders (31 female and 22 male shoulders) experienced aseptic glenoid loosening, for an overall rate of 0.74%. At latest (2-year minimum) follow-up, 30 of 3127 patients experienced aseptic glenoid loosening and showed significantly lower clinical scores, function, and active range of motion and higher pain scores than patients without loosening. Univariate analysis identified rheumatoid arthritis (P = .029; OR, 2.74) and diabetes (P = .028; OR, 1.84) as significant risk factors for aseptic glenoid loosening after rTSA, and multivariate analysis identified Walch glenoid types B2 (P = .002; OR, 4.513) and B3 (P = .002; OR, 14.804), use of expanded lateralized glenospheres (P = .025; OR, 2.57), and use of augmented baseplates (P = .001; OR, 2.50) as significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: The incidence of aseptic glenoid baseplate loosening was 0.74% for the evaluated medialized glenoid-lateralized humerus rTSA system. Numerous risk factors for aseptic loosening were identified, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Walch type B2 and B3 glenoids, posteriorly-superiorly augmented baseplates, and expanded lateralized glenospheres. Finally, analysis of multiple combinations of risk factors identified patients and implant configurations with the greatest risk of aseptic glenoid loosening.

Identification of Independent Predictors of Increased 90-Day Complication and Revision Rates Following Total Elbow Arthroplasty.

Introduction: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an increasingly popular surgical option for many debilitating conditions of the elbow. There currently exists a paucity of literature regarding patient and hospital factors that lead to inferior outcomes following TEA. The purpose of this study is to identify independent predictors of increased complication and revision rates following TEA. Methods: The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried from 2011 to 2018 to identify all cases of TEA (n = 8932). Relevant patient demographic factors, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics were identified and run in a univariate binomial logistic regression model. All significant variables were included in a multivariate binomial logistic regression model for data analysis. Results: Independent predictors of increased complication rates included age, female sex, Medicare and Medicaid payer status, medium bed-sized center, and 18 of 34 medical comorbidities (all P < .05). Independent predictors of increased revision rates included medium bed-sized centers, non-teaching hospital status, chronic pulmonary disease, depression, and pulmonary circulatory disorders (all P < .05). Conclusion: This study identified several patient and hospital characteristics that are independently associated with both increased complication and revision rates following TEA. This information can aid orthopedic surgeons during shared decision making when considering TEA in patients. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons SLAP/Biceps Anchor Study Group evidence review: pathoanatomy and diagnosis in clinically significant labral injuries.

Glenoid superior biceps-labral pathology diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes are an evolving area of shoulder surgery. Historically, described as superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) tears, these lesions were identified as a source of pain in throwing athletes. Diagnosis and treatments applied to these SLAP lesions resulted in less than optimal outcomes in some patients and a prevailing sense of confusion. The purpose of this paper is to perform a reappraisal of the anatomy, examination, imaging, and diagnosis by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons/SLAP biceps study group. We sought to capture emerging concepts and suggest a more unified approach to evaluation and identify specific needs for future research.

Shoulder arthroplasty after prior anterior shoulder instability surgery: a matched cohort analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of prior anterior shoulder instability surgery (SIS) on the outcomes and complications of primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). METHODS: Between 2007 and 2018, 38 primary total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA) (22 aTSA and 16 rTSA) with a prior SIS and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were identified. This cohort was matched 1:3 based on age, sex, body mass index, year of surgery, and dominant shoulder. aTSA and rTSA were matched to patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA) and rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), respectively. RESULTS: TSA produced similar postoperative pain, ROM, patient-reported outcome measures, complications, and revisions in those with prior SIS vs. controls. aTSA with prior SIS demonstrated worse final postoperative abduction (116° vs. 133°; P = 0.046) and abduction improvement (24° vs. 47°; P = 0.034) compared to OA controls. Both aTSA and rTSA with prior SIS demonstrated significant improvements from baseline across all metrics, with no significant differences between the groups. aTSA and rTSA with prior SIS demonstrated no differences to controls in complications (4.6% vs. 6.1%; P = .786 and 0% vs. 6.3%. P = .183) or revisions (4.6% vs. 4.6%; P = .999 and 0% vs. 4.2%; P = .279). CONCLUSIONS: TSA after prior SIS surgery can improve both pain and function without adversely increasing the rates of complications or revision surgery. When compared to patients without prior SIS, aTSA demonstrated worse abduction; however, all other functional differences remained statistically similar. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Retrospective Cohort Comparison; Treatment Study.

Does glenohumeral offset affect clinical outcomes in a lateralized reverse total shoulder arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) exhibits high rates of success and low complication rates. rTSA has undergone numerous design adaptations over recent years, and lateralization of implant components provides theoretical and biomechanical benefits in stability and range of motion (ROM) as well as decreased rates of notching. However, the magnitude of implant lateralization and its effect on these outcomes is less well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how increasing glenohumeral offset affects outcomes after rTSA, specifically in a lateralized humerus + medialized glenoid implant model. METHODS: Primary rTSA using a lateralized humeral + medialized glenoid implant model performed at a single academic institution between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) parameters and clinical outcomes including ROM were evaluated both pre- and postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed for measurement of glenohumeral offset, defined as the acromial-tuberosity offset (ATO) distance on the anteroposterior radiograph. RESULTS: A total of 130 rTSAs were included in the analysis, with a mean follow-up of 35 mo. The mean postoperative absolute ATO was 16 mm, and the mean delta ATO (difference from pre- to postoperatively) was 4.6 mm further lateralized. Among all study patients, improvements in all ROM parameters and all PROs were observed from pre- to postoperative assessments. When assessing for the effects of lateralization on these outcomes, multivariate analysis failed to reveal a significant effect from the absolute postoperative ATO or the delta ATO on any outcome parameter. CONCLUSIONS: rTSA using a lateralized humeral + medialized glenoid implant model exhibits excellent clinical outcomes in ROM and PROs. However, the magnitude of lateralization as measured radiographically by the ATO did not significantly affect these outcomes; patients exhibited universally good outcomes irrespective of the degree of offset restoration.

Patient outcomes after revision total shoulder arthroplasty in an inpatient vs. outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is becoming an increasingly common surgical procedure for numerous shoulder conditions. The incidence of revision TSA is increasing because of the increase in primary TSA and the increased utilization of TSA in younger patients. Conducting revision TSA as an outpatient procedure would be beneficial in limiting expenditure and resource allocation but must show a similar complication profile compared to inpatient revision TSA in order to justify its clinical value. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of outpatient revision TSA to inpatient revision TSA and outpatient primary TSA. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried from 2010-2019 to identify all patients who underwent revision TSA (n = 1456) in either an inpatient or outpatient setting, as well as patients who underwent primary TSA in an outpatient setting (n = 2630). Relevant demographic characteristics were compared between the outpatient revision group and both the inpatient revision and outpatient primary groups. Postoperative complications, readmission, and reoperation rates were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: Patients undergoing inpatient revision TSA exhibited increased rates of preoperative hypertension (P = .013) and had increased prevalence of severe American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (P = .021) compared to patients undergoing outpatient revision TSA. Patients undergoing outpatient revision TSA were significantly more likely to experience complications (P < .001), have longer surgical times (P < .001), and undergo readmission (P = .006) and reoperation (P = .049) compared to patients undergoing outpatient primary TSA. There was no significant increase in rates of overall complication, readmission, or reoperation between patients undergoing revision TSA in an outpatient vs. an inpatient setting. CONCLUSION: Outpatient revision TSA has higher complication rates, readmission, and reoperation rates compared to outpatient primary TSA, similar to previous findings when comparing revision and primary TSA done as an inpatient. However, there was no increased risk of complications, readmission, or reoperation for outpatient revision TSA compared to inpatient revision TSA. Outpatient revision TSA should be considered by orthopedic surgeons in patients who are medically healthy to undergo the procedure as an outpatient surgery.

Impact of age on shoulder range of motion and strength.

Background: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is a surgical technique commonly used to treat patients with arthritis and rotator cuff deficiency. Its purpose is to reduce pain and improve shoulder function, namely range of motion (ROM) and strength. While shoulder ROM and strength have been studied extensively in patients with various shoulder pathologies, there is a dearth of knowledge with regard to the asymptomatic population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient orthopaedic clinic following institutional review board approval. Patients 18 years of age and older with at least one asymptomatic and healthy shoulder with no prior history of shoulder surgery, injury, or pain were enrolled in the study. Demographic information, ROM, and strength measurements were collected for 256 shoulders, evenly stratified into groups by age and sex. A goniometer was used to measure forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation, and a handheld dynamometer was utilized for measuring strength. Statistical evaluation was conducted using Pearson correlations, analysis of variance, and Bonferroni and Mann-Whitney post hoc tests, with P < .01 indicating a significant difference. Results: Abduction strength (P < .001), external rotation strength (P < .001), and internal rotation strength (P < .001) were negatively correlated with age when viewing the data as a whole and after stratification of males and females. Age and shoulder ROM, namely abduction (P < .001) and forward elevation (P < .001), were also significantly negatively correlated, although internal rotation decreased with age as well. When comparing across age groups, abduction (P = .001) and forward elevation (P = .001) were significantly higher in group 1 (18-35) when compared to group 4 (66+), but external rotation was not significantly different between these groups. External rotation (P = .001) was only significantly different between groups 2 (36-50) and 4. Variation in external rotation strength was also found. Group 4 was found to have significantly less strength than all 3 of the other groups. Conclusion: Shoulder strength significantly decreased with age, with abduction strength and external rotation strength displaying the strongest negative correlations. Decreases in strength were most prominent in patients 66 years of age and above. Shoulder ROM was not as tightly correlated with age, although abduction, forward elevation, and internal rotation were found to generally decrease over time. Differences in external rotation were not clinically significant. These correlations provide useful controls for patients of various ages regarding their clinical outcomes when presenting with shoulder pathology. Variations in current literature allow this study to verify the impact of age on shoulder ROM and strength.

Comparison of Reverse and Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients With an Intact Rotator Cuff and No Previous Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study's purpose is to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and an intact rotator cuff with no previous history of shoulder surgery using a single platform TSA system at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: A total of 370 aTSA patients and 370 rTSA patients matched for age, sex, and length of follow-up from an international multi-institutional Western Institutional Review Board approved registry with a minimum 2-year follow-up were reviewed for this study. All patients had a diagnosis of OA, an intact rotator cuff, and no previous shoulder surgery. All patients were evaluated and scored preoperatively and at latest follow-up using six outcome scoring metrics and four active range of motion measurements. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 41 months, and the mean age was 73 years. Preoperatively, the rTSA patients had lower outcome metrics and less motion. Postoperatively, aTSA and rTSA patients had similar clinical outcomes, motion, and function, with the only exception being greater external rotation in aTSA exceeding the minimal clinically important difference. Pain relief was excellent, and patient satisfaction was high in both groups. Humeral radiolucent lines were similar in both groups (8%). Complications were significantly higher with aTSA (aTSA = 4.9%; rTSA = 2.2%; P = 0.045), but revisions were similar (aTSA = 3.2%; rTSA = 1.4%; P = 0.086). CONCLUSION: At a mean of 41 month follow-up, primary aTSA and rTSA patients with OA and an intact rotator cuff with no previous history of shoulder surgery had similar clinical and radiographic outcomes. Greater external rotation was noted in aTSA patients at follow-up. However, aTSA patients had a significantly greater rate of complications compared with rTSA patients. rTSA is a viable treatment option in patients with an intact rotator cuff and no previous shoulder surgery, offering similar clinical outcomes with a lower complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Outcomes and complications of primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty with minimum of 2 years' follow-up: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is an effective treatment option for reducing pain and improving function for patients with rotator cuff tear arthropathy, irreparable rotator cuff tears, glenoid deformity, and other challenging clinical scenarios, including fracture sequelae and revision shoulder arthroplasty. There has been a wide range of reported outcomes and postoperative complication rates reported in the literature. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an updated review of the clinical outcomes and complication rates following primary rTSA. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate outcomes and complications following primary rTSA according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Demographics, range of motion, patient-reported outcome measures (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form [ASES] and Constant scores), number of complications, and revisions were extracted, recorded, and analyzed from the included articles. RESULTS: Of the 1415 studies screened, 52 studies met the inclusion criteria comprising a total of 5824 shoulders. The mean age at the time of surgery was 72 years (range: 34-93), and the mean follow-up was 3.9 years (range: 2-16). Patients demonstrated a mean improvement of 56° in active flexion, 50° in active abduction, and 14° in active external rotation. Regarding functional outcome scores, rTSA patients demonstrated a mean clinically significant improvement of 37 in Constant score (minimal clinically important difference [MCID] = 5.7) and ASES score (42.0; MCID = 13.6). The overall complication rate for rTSA was 9.4% and revision rate of 2.6%. Complications were further subdivided into major medical complications (0.07%), shoulder- or surgical-related complications (5.3%), and infections (1.2%). The most frequently reported shoulder- or surgical-related complications were scapular notching (14.4%), periprosthetic fracture (0.8%), glenoid loosening (0.7%), and prosthetic dislocation (0.7%). DISCUSSION: Primary rTSA is a safe and reliable procedure with low complication, revision, infection, and scapular notching rates. Additionally, patients demonstrated clinically significant improvements in both range of motion and clinical outcome scores.