Scapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty

doi:10.1016/j.jse.2008.02.010

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Volume 17, Issue 6, November–December 2008, Pages 925-935

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2008.02.010 Get rights and content

The causes and consequences of scapular notching after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) were investigated in 326 consecutive patients (337 shoulders) undergoing RSA between 1991 and 2003. Patients underwent 269 (80%) primary RSAs and 68 revisions of unconstrained shoulder prosthesis. At last follow-up (average, 47 months; range, 24-120 months) 62% had scapular notching. Notching frequency and extension were correlated to the length of follow-up (P = .0005). Notching was more frequent in cuff tear arthropathy (P = .0004), grade 3 or 4 fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus (P = .01), and narrowed acromiohumeral distance (P < .0001). Glenoids preoperatively oriented superiorly were more at risk for notching (P = .006). More notching occurred when the RSA was implanted using an anterosuperior approach vs a deltopectoral approach (P < .0001). Notching was correlated with humeral radiolucencies in proximal zones (P < .0001) and with glenoid radiolucent lines (P < .0001). Positioning of the baseplate definitely influences scapular notching. High positioning of the baseplate and superior tilting must be avoided.

Section snippets

Material and methods

Between December 1991 and June 2003, 457 consecutive shoulders in 430 patients were treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty in four specialized shoulder surgery centers. Ten shoulders were excluded because the prosthesis was a revision of a previous reverse arthroplasty. Fifty-six shoulders were excluded because they were lost to follow-up without adequate postoperative radiographic documentation. Fifty-four shoulders were excluded because of radiographic follow-up shorter than 24 months.

Results

Radiographic follow-up averaged 47 months (range, 24-120 months), 87 shoulders (26%) had a follow-up of more than 60 months, and 250 (74%) between 24 and 60 months. The glenoid baseplate appeared perfectly flat in 89% of shoulders on the AP view and in 21% on the axillary view. Scapular notching was present in 62% of shoulders on the AP view at the last follow-up. According to the classification of Sirveaux, 22% were grade 1, 18% grade 2, 14% grade 3, and 8% grade 4. On the axillary view, the

Discussion

Our study confirms that scapular notching after reverse shoulder arthroplasty is frequent, 62%, similar to some previously published reports.3, 4, 10, 23 This incidence is somewhat less than other series,24, 25, 27 and it is possible that some patients escaped our radiographic protocol. Our study also confirms what Werner previously reported, that notching occurs early after surgery, as 68% of the latest follow-up notches were already visible 1 year after the operation.²⁷

Progression of notching

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Cited by (399)

Both angled bony-increased offset and metal-augmented baseplates provide satisfactory bone incorporation to the glenoid in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a radiographic evaluation using tomosynthesis
2024, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Angled bony-increased offset and metal-augmented baseplate have recently been used to achieve neutral to inferior inclination of the glenoid implant. Nonetheless, bone incorporation is difficult to evaluate using computed tomography or other conventional methods owing to the presence of metal artifacts; therefore, whether bone incorporation between the grafted bone and glenoid or between the graft and baseplate implant can be achieved remains unclear. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of tomosynthesis in reducing metal artifacts for the evaluation of implant loosening, bone resorption, and spot welds. We aimed to evaluate and compare the bone incorporation rates between angled bony-increased offset and metal-augmented implants using tomosynthesis with metal artifact reduction technology. We hypothesized that a high bone incorporation rate would be obtained with angled bony-increased offset and a metal-augmented baseplate.
A total of 52 patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with angled bony-increased offset and 42 patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with metal-augmented baseplate were assessed and followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The bone incorporation and implant loosening rates were compared between the 2 groups, and the sites of spot welds and trabeculation were recorded according to zones. Bone incorporation between the bone and prosthesis was defined as a confirmation of spot welds connecting the porous area and bone in more than three zones. Bone incorporation between the native bone and grafted bone was defined as an observation of trabeculation. Glenoid loosening was defined as the presence of at least 1 mm radiolucency around the prosthesis in more than 2 zones.
Both the angled bony-increased offset and metal-augmented baseplate groups achieved sufficient bone incorporation rates (98% [51/52 cases] vs. 100% [42/42 cases], P = 1.0) and low implant loosening rates (2% [1/52 cases] vs. 0% [0/42 cases], P = 1.0). Spot welds and trabeculation were likely to be confirmed in the lower parts of the glenoid.
The two groups did not show any significant differences regarding bone incorporation rates. Considering the complexity of performing the procedure with angled bony-increased offset, the use of a metal-augmented baseplate can serve as an alternative treatment to avoid superior inclination in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
Functional and radiographic outcomes of octogenarians undergoing primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a retrospective study
2024, Seminars in Arthroplasty JSES
As the demand for primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) increases due to an aging population and expanding indications, it is crucial to understand the effects of the age on outcomes, particularly in patients 80 years or older. The purpose of this study was to determine postoperative patient-reported outcomes and evaluate postoperative imaging of octogenarian patients (≥80 year old) who underwent primary RTSA with a minimum 12-month follow-up.
In this retrospective case series, all consecutive patients aged 80 years or older who underwent primary RTSA at a tertiary health-care system were included from April 2012 to January 2022. Patient demographic and preoperative comorbidity data were collected, and the corresponding standard comorbidity indices were determined for each patient. Primary outcomes included postoperative patient-reported functional outcomes, while the secondary outcomes were adverse radiographic findings, mortality, and 90-day postoperative complications. Statistical analysis included descriptive analyses and a Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test for comparisons. A P < .05 was considered to be statistically significant.
A total of 59 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 84.21 ± 3.24 years and 39 (66.1%) female patients. All patient-reported outcome measures significantly improved postoperatively, including the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, the Visual Analog Scale, and range of motion. The most common adverse radiographic outcome was scapular notching (27.1%), followed by acromial stress fractures (5.1%). Eight (13.6%) complications were observed, requiring four revision surgeries.
In conclusion, RTSA leads to significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes with an acceptable rate of adverse radiographic outcomes in patients aged 80 years or older. Despite the potential for increased risk of adverse events in the elderly population, our study did not find an increase in complications within this age group when compared to rates previously reported in literature. Our findings suggest that RTSA is a safe and effective option in octogenarian patients.
The Delta III and Delta Xtend reverse shoulder arthroplasty—risk of revision and failure mechanisms: a report on 3650 cases from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register 1994-2021
2024, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
The Delta reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is commonly used worldwide and is the most frequently used RSA in Norway. The aim of this registry-based study was to report 10- and 20-year implant survival, risk of revision, and reasons for revision in 2 consecutive time periods for Delta III (1994-2010) and Delta Xtend (2007-2021) prostheses.
We included 3650 primary RSAs reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register: 315 Delta III (42% cemented stems) and 3335 Delta Xtend (88% cemented stems). We used Kaplan-Meier analyses to investigate implant survival. The reasons for revision were compared for the 2 designs and fixation technique. Factors that could influence the risk of revision, such as implant design, fixation technique, and patient factors, were investigated using Cox regression analyses with adjustments for age, sex, and diagnosis.
Patients operated with Delta III were more likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory disease or fracture sequela, whereas acute fracture, osteoarthritis, and cuff arthropathy were the most frequent indications for Delta Xtend. Ten-year survival was 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.0-99.0) (cemented stem) and 81.6% (95% CI: 75.3-87.9) (uncemented stem) for Delta III and 94.7% (95% CI: 93.3-96.1) (cemented stem) and 95.7% (95% CI: 88.3-100) (uncemented stem) for Delta Xtend. Twenty-year survival for Delta III (uncemented stem) was 68.2% (95% CI: 58.8-77.6). Compared with DeltaXtend (cemented stem) at 10-year follow-up, we found a higher risk of revision for Delta III (uncemented stem) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.7-5.0), whereas no significant difference was found for Delta III (cemented stem) and Delta Xtend (uncemented stem). The most common reason for revision of Delta III (uncemented stem) was glenoid loosening followed by deep infection and instability. Instability was the most frequent revision cause for Delta Xtend (both cemented and uncemented stem). Men had an overall higher revision risk than women (HR: 2.8 [95% CI: 2.0-3.9]), and patients with fracture sequela had increased risk for revision (HR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.7) compared with patients with osteoarthritis.
We found that Delta III (uncemented stem) had a higher risk of revision compared with Delta Xtend (cemented stem). The risk of revision for glenoid component loosening was lower for Delta Xtend, but revisions due to instability/dislocation are still a concern. This register study cannot determine whether the differences found were caused by differences in implant design or other factors that changed during the study period. Risk of revision may have been affected by the indication for primary operation.
Anatomic vs. reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with glenoid retroversion of at least 15 degrees in rotator cuff intact patients: a comparison of short-term results
2024, Seminars in Arthroplasty JSES
Severe glenoid deformity has been associated with inferior outcomes and higher complication rates in shoulder arthroplasty. In patients with intact rotator cuffs, there is no clear consensus as to whether anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) or reverse (rTSA) shoulder arthroplasty is the optimal implant in patients with glenoid deformities. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of aTSA vs. rTSA in glenoid deformities with greater than 15° retroversion.
A retrospective review of a large multicenter database was conducted. All patients who underwent either aTSA or rTSA with an intact rotator cuff and glenoid retroversion 15° or greater with minimum 2-year follow-up were included. Range of motion (ROM), revisions, and patient reported outcomes (PROs) including Constant score, Simple Shoulder test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index), Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart score were collected for all patients pre and postsurgery.
Overall, 336 patients were included with 187 receiving an aTSA and 149 rTSA. Reverse patients overall had more comorbidities (75.0% vs. 65.1%; P = .05) and were older (70.9 ± 7.0 vs. 66.3 ± 7.7 years; P < .001). Average follow-up for the aTSA group was 62.0 ± 37.8 months vs. 40.6 ± 22.9 months for rTSA (P < .001). Preoperative retroversion in the anatomic group averaged 20.7 ± 5.5 degrees vs. 24.2 ± 7.7 in reverse patients (P < .001). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all PROs and ROM from pre to postsurgery. At latest follow-up aTSA patients had significantly better internal rotation scores (4.9 ± 1.6 vs. 4 ± 1.8; P < .001), external rotation (50 ± 19 vs. 38 ± 18; P < .001) and Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart scores (80.2 ± 13.5 vs. 76.6 ± 11.3; P = .017) but worse pain VAS (1.5 ± 2.3 vs. 0.9 ± 1.9; P = .016). There was no significant difference in abduction or forward elevation or PRO’s (Shoulder function, Simple Shoulder test, Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score, or Shoulder Pain and Disability Index). Overall revision rate (7% vs. 1%; P = .002) was higher in aTSA.
ATSA and rTSA results in significant improvements in patients with glenoid retroversion equal or greater than 15°. Anatomic TSA patients have better postoperative internal rotation score, external rotation, and SAS score but demonstrated no other significant improvement in ROM or PRO. However, there was significantly higher rate of complications and revisions with short-term follow-up following aTSA.
Factors affecting stress shielding and osteolysis after reverse shoulder arthroplasty: A multicenter study in a Japanese population
2024, Journal of Orthopaedic Science
Stress shielding and osteolysis around the humeral stem after reverse shoulder arthroplasty causes loosening and periprosthetic fractures and reduces bone stock during revision surgery. In Japanese patients, who have relatively small bodies, different characteristics may exist regarding the occurrence of these changes compared with the characteristics of Westerners, who have relatively larger frames. The purpose of this multicenter study was to investigate the incidence and clarify the predictors of stress shielding and osteolysis in Japanese individuals who underwent reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
The occurrence of stress shielding and osteolysis was investigated in 135 shoulders that had undergone reverse shoulder arthroplasty at least 2 years prior in five Japanese hospitals. During post-surgical follow-up, which was conducted every 3 months, the locations of the stress shielding occurrences, such as cortical thinning and osteopenia (which primarily occurred in zones 1, 2, and 7, where 1 is the greater tuberosity and 7 is the calcar part), spot weld, and condensation lines, were recorded. Cases without any abnormal findings on radiographs obtained up to ≥2 years after surgery were regarded as having no abnormalities. Finally, the predictors of cortical thinning and proximal humeral osteolysis were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.
Cortical thinning and osteopenia occurred in 68 shoulders, a condensation line occurred in 37 shoulders, and spot weld occurred in 23 shoulders. In particular, greater tuberosity and calcar osteolysis occurred in 40 and 47 shoulders, respectively. Long stem, cementless stem, and a larger proximal filling ratio were independent predictors of cortical thinning and osteopenia, whereas a cementless stem, larger metaphysis diameter, and a larger proximal filling ratio were associated with proximal humeral osteolysis.
The predictors of stress shielding and osteolysis included the use of long stems, cementless stems, larger proximal filling ratios, and larger metaphysis diameters.
retrospective comparative study (Level III).
Yoke procedure as a salvage treatment option for failed reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with irreconstructible glenoid
2024, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Glenoid bone loss is a known challenge in primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. In severe deficiency, even placing the baseplate in alternative centerline or using an augmented baseplate may be insufficient. This study reports on the use of a soft tissue resurfacing technique using Achilles tendon allograft, coined Yoke procedure, for salvage treatment of glenoid deficient shoulder requiring reconstruction.
All patients who underwent the Yoke procedure between 2014 and 2020 by a single surgeon at a single academic center were identified and had their charts retrospectively reviewed. Demographics and surgical information were recorded. Preoperative X-rays and 3D-computed tomography scans were reviewed to classify patient glenoid types, evaluate glenoid medialization, and measure shoulder angles. Preoperative and postoperative range of motions and patient-reported outcome scores were evaluated, including anterior elevation, external rotation, internal rotation, visual analog scale, subjective shoulder value score, Simple Shoulder Test, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores. Postoperative radiographs and follow-up notes were reviewed to evaluate postoperative complication profiles at 1 year.
Seven patients with a median age of 69 years (range, 54-77 years) underwent Yoke procedure and had a median 12-month follow-up (range, 9-56 months). All patients were female and had a median of 2 prior shoulder surgeries (range, 0-13). Of all the patients, the most common comorbidity was osteoporosis (6) followed by rheumatoid arthritis (3). Of the 5 patients who had previous arthroplasty, the most common indications were baseplate failure (4), followed by instability (3) and infection (3). The median visual analog scale score improved from 8 (range, 3-9) to 2 (range, 1-4). The median Simple Shoulder Test improved from 8% (range, 0%-42%) to 33% (range, 17%-83%). The median ASES score improved from 15 (range, 5-38) to 52 (range, 40-78). The median anterior elevation and external rotation improved from 20° (range, 0°-75°) to 100° (range, 40°-145°) and 10° (range, 0°-20°) to 20° (range, 0°-55°), respectively. There was no change in median internal rotation. As of the last follow-up, one patient reported postoperative complications of anterior-superior implant escape, heterotopic ossification, and scapular notching.
The Yoke procedure is a promising salvage treatment that can offer patients consistent pain reduction and moderate functional improvements at short-term follow-up. In the setting of poor bone quality and severe glenoid deficiency, glenoid baseplate implantation may not be absolutely necessary for a pain-relieving, functionally acceptable outcome.

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Original ArticleScapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty

Section snippets

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

J Arthroplasty

Résultats de la prothèse inversée de Grammont pour les omarthroses associées à de grandes destructions de la coiffe : à propos de 16 cas

Acta Orthop Belg

Grammont reverse prosthesis: design, rationale, and biomechanics

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

Early results of a reverse design prosthesis in the treatment of arthritis of the shoulder in elderly patients with a large rotator cuff tear

Orthopedics

A clinical method of functional assessment of the shoulder

Clin Orthop

Grammont shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis with massive rotator cuff tears: report of 71 cases

J Shoulder Elbow Surg

Complications mécaniques de la prothèse totale inversée de l'épaule

Rev Chir Orthop

Revision of shoulder replacement with a reversed shoulder prosthesis (Delta III): report of five cases

Acta Orthop Belg

Functional recovery after a reverse prosthesis for reconstruction of the proximal humerus in tumor surgery

Clin Orthop Relat Res

Hemiarthroplasty versus reverse arthroplasty in the treatment of osteoarthritis with massive rotator cuff tear

Original Article
Scapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty