Short stemmed reverse total shoulder arthroplasty - a 32% complication rate

Mid- to long-term clinical outcomes after press-fit short stem reverse shoulder arthroplasty

These authors reviewed the records of 60 patients that received a reverse total shoulder (RSA) using a press-fit uncemented shortened humeral stem (Humeris® Reversible, FX Solutions, Viriat, France)

9 (15%) died of causes unrelated to RSA and 4 (7%) were lost to follow-up. 

Within the remaining 47 the following 15 shoulder complications were listed:

3 acromial fractures

1 acromion, humerus and scapula fracture

1 clavicle fracture

3 infections

5 instability/dislocations

1 axillary nerve injury

1 shoulder pain

Comment: While it is unclear what factors led to this high complication rate, these data do not create a compelling case for this particular prosthesis.

A recent post How should the humeral component be secured in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty? presents a comparison of the outcomes of short versus standard length stems.

Our technique for RSA is shown in this link.

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Here are some videos that are of shoulder interest

Shoulder arthritis - what you need to know (see this link).

How to x-ray the shoulder (see this link).

The ream and run procedure (see this link).

The total shoulder arthroplasty (see this link).

The cuff tear arthropathy arthroplasty (see this link).

The reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (see this link).

The smooth and move procedure for irreparable rotator cuff tears (see this link).

Shoulder rehabilitation exercises (see this link).