Clin Should Elbow.  2011 Jun;14(1):111-116.

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Complications

• Kim YK

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this article are to review the mid-term results and the complications after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and to analyze the influence of the etiology on the result.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a systemic review of the published literature with the mid-term follow-up after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was performed. The overall rates of problems, complications, reoperations and revisions were determined.
RESULTS
The reported complication rates varied from 0% to 68%. The first series of reverse prosthesis with at least 2 yrs of follow-up confirmed the preliminary results, with excellent functional outcomes. However, a systemic review of the published literature with a mid-term follow-up showed problems in 44% of the cases, complications in 24% of the cases, reoperations in 3.5% of the cases and revision in 10% of the cases.
CONCLUSION
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has relatively high complication and revision rates. So, a reverse prosthesis should be used in patients with very disabling arthropathy and a massive cuff tear and who are over seventy (at least sixty-five) years old.

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Prostheses and Implants
Shoulder