Minimum five-year outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using a trabecular metal glenoid base plate

Trabecular metal collars in endoprosthetic replacements: do they osseointegrate?

Aims

Limb salvage surgery (LSS) is the primary treatment option for primary bone malignancy. It involves the removal of bone and tissue, followed by reconstruction with endoprosthetic replacements (EPRs) to prevent amputation. Trabecular metal (TM) collars have been developed to encourage bone ingrowth (osseointegration (OI)) into EPRs. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether OI occurs when TM collars are used in EPRs for tumour.

Methods

A total of 124 patients from July 2010 to August 2021 who underwent an EPR for tumour under the West of Scotland orthopaedic oncology team were identified. Overall, 81 patients (65%) met the inclusion criteria, and two consultants independently analyzed radiographs at three and 12 months, as well as the last radiograph, using a modified version of the Stanford Radiological Assessment System.

Results

OI of the TM collar occurred in approximately 65% of patients at last radiograph. The percentage of patients with OI at three months (65.4%) reflected the 12-month (65%) and long-term (64.4%) follow-up. The median amount of OI across all radiographs was one at all three timepoints, with only five cases (11.1%) showing OI in all four zones at last radiograph. Radiolucency at the bone:collar junction was present in 23 cases (28.4%) at three months, but only four (6.7%) showed progression of this at 12 months. The interobserver reliability was found to be highly reliable in all parameters (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

OI occurs in approximately 65% of TM collars, and is similar at three months, 12 months, and last radiograph. The extent of OI at the bone:collar junction was found to have decreased at longer-term follow-up. Furthermore, radiolucency at the bone-collar impact junction does occur in some patients but only a low number will show radiolucency progression at longer-term follow-up.

Clinical Outcomes Do Not Deteriorate Over Time Following Primary Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Minimum 10-Year Follow-up of 135 Shoulders

Background

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) offers satisfactory mid-term outcomes for a variety of pathologies, but long-term follow-up data are limited. This study demonstrates the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes as well as the predictive factors for an inferior outcome following RTSA.

Methods

Using the prospective database of a single, tertiary referral center, we included all primary RTSAs that were performed during the study period and had a minimum 10-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes included the absolute Constant-Murley score (CS), relative CS, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), range of motion, pain, complication rate, and reintervention rate. Radiographic measurements included the critical shoulder angle (CSA), lateralization shoulder angle (LSA), distalization shoulder angle (DSA), reverse shoulder angle (RSA), acromiohumeral distance (ACHD), center of rotation, glenoid component height, notching, radiolucent lines, heterotopic ossification, and tuberosity resorption.

Results

A total of 135 shoulders (133 patients) were available for analysis at a mean follow-up of 10.9 ± 1.6 years. The mean age was 69 ± 8 years, and 76 shoulders (76 patients; 56%) were female. For most of the clinical outcomes, initial improvements were observed in the short term and were sustained in the long term without notable deterioration, with >10-year follow-up values of 64 ± 16 for the absolute CS, 79% ± 18% for the relative CS, 79% ± 21% for the SSV, and 14 ± 3 for the CS for pain. However, after initial improvement, deterioration was seen for flexion and external rotation, with values of 117° ± 26° and 25° ± 18°, respectively, at the final follow-up. Scapular notching, heterotopic ossification, and radiolucent lines of <2 mm progressed during the study period. Younger age (p = 0.040), grade-II notching (p = 0.048), tuberosity resorption (p = 0.015), and radiolucent lines of <2 mm around the glenoid (p = 0.015) were predictive of an inferior outcome. The complication rate was 28%, with a reintervention rate of 11%.

Conclusions

RTSA provided improved long-term results that did not significantly deteriorate over time for most of the clinical parameters. Negative clinical outcome predictors were younger age, grade-II notching, tuberosity resorption, and radiolucent lines of <2 mm around the glenoid.

Level of Evidence

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Complications and further surgery after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty : report of 854 primary cases

AIMS

The aim of this study was to report the incidence of implant-related complications, further operations, and their influence on the outcome in a series of patients who underwent primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).

METHODS

The prospectively collected clinical and radiological data of 797 patients who underwent 854 primary RTSAs between January 2005 and August 2018 were analyzed. The hypothesis was that the presence of complications would adversely affect the outcome. Further procedures were defined as all necessary operations, including reoperations without change of components, and partial or total revisions. The clinical outcome was evaluated using the absolute and relative Constant Scores (aCS, rCS), the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) scores, range of motion, and pain.

RESULTS

The overall surgical site complication rate was 22% (188 complications) in 152 patients (156 RTSAs; 18%) at a mean follow-up of 46 months (0 to 169). The most common complications were acromial fracture (in 44 patients, 45 RTSAs; 5.3%), glenoid loosening (in 37 patients, 37 RTSAs; 4.3%), instability (in 23 patients, 23 RTSAs; 2.7%), humeral fracture or loosening of the humeral component (in 21 patients, 21 RTSAs; 2.5%), and periprosthetic infection (in 14 patients, 14 RTSAs; 1.6%). Further surgery was undertaken in 79 patients (82 RTSAs) requiring a total of 135 procedures (41% revision rate). The most common indications for further surgery were glenoid-related complications (in 23 patients, 23 RTSAs; 2.7%), instability (in 15 patients, 15 RTSAs; 1.8%), acromial fractures (in 11 patients, 11 RTSAs; 1.3%), pain and severe scarring (in 13 patients, 13 RTSAs; 1.5%), and infection (in 8 patients, 8 RTSAs; 0.9%). Patients who had a complication had significantly worse mean rCS scores (57% (SD 24%) vs 81% (SD 16%)) and SSV scores (53% (SD 27%) vs 80% (SD 20%)) compared with those without a complication. If revision surgery was necessary, the outcome was even further compromised (mean rCS score: 51% (SD 23%) vs 63% (SD 23%); SSV score: 4% (SD 25%) vs 61% (SD 27%).

CONCLUSION

Although the indications for, and use of, a RTSA are increasing, it remains a demanding surgical procedure. We found that about one in five patients had a complication and one in ten required further surgery. Both adversely affected the outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(3):401-407.