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Failed Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: What Are Our Bailouts?

  • Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty (C Chambers and E Craig, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

As the population continues to age and indications continue to expand, the number of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSTA) procedures has increased significantly. While RTSA is an effective solution to many shoulder problems, it is not without complications. Furthermore, as the number of RTSA procedures increases, so will the number of complications following this procedure. While some complications can be managed with revision RTSA, there are some complications that, unfortunately, cannot. The purpose of this review is to discuss the revision options for failed RTSA.

Recent Findings

While there has been a significant amount of recent literature surrounding RTSA, much of this literature has been aimed at improving outcomes for primary RTSA by improving glenoid placement, maximizing range of motion, etc., or improving outcomes following conversion of another surgery to RTSA [1••, 2, 3]. There has been little evidence surrounding options for failed RTSA that cannot be salvaged to a revision RTSA. These options are limited and often involve resection arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty, although neither option provides patients with significant function of the shoulder [4, 5•].

Summary

Complications following RTSA are becoming more common as the number of RTSA continues to increase. Furthermore, as the indications for RTSA expand, the complications will continue to increase as this implant is used to tackle more difficult problems about the shoulder. When possible, the etiology of the problem with the RTSA should be addressed and may involve component revision, bone grafting, etc. When the problem cannot be solved with revision RTSA, then the patient can be converted to a hemiarthroplasty, or have a resection arthroplasty, with the understanding that their shoulder function will be limited.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, 645 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10022, USA

    Brandon J. Erickson

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  1. Brandon J. Erickson
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Correspondence to Brandon J. Erickson.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of Interest

AAOS: Board or committee member American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine: Board or committee member American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons: Board or committee member Arthrex, Inc: Paid consultant; Research support DePuy, A Johnson & Johnson Company: Research support Linvatec: Research support PLOS One: Editorial or governing board Smith & Nephew: Research support Stryker: Research support.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

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Erickson, B.J. Failed Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: What Are Our Bailouts?. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 14, 291–296 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-021-09712-9

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