A systematic review of tuberosity healing and outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture according to humeral inclination of the prosthesis

Joseph O'Sullivan; Alexandre Lädermann; Bradford O Parsons; Brian Werner; Jörn Steinbeck; John M Tokish; Patrick J Denard

doi:10.1016/j.jse.2020.03.032

A systematic review of tuberosity healing and outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture according to humeral inclination of the prosthesis

J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020 Sep;29(9):1938-1949. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.03.032. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Authors

Joseph O'Sullivan¹, Alexandre Lädermann², Bradford O Parsons³, Brian Werner⁴, Jörn Steinbeck⁵, John M Tokish⁶, Patrick J Denard⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
² Division of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, La Tour Hospital, Meyrin, Switzerland.
³ Department of Orthopedics, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
⁵ Orthopedic Practice Clinic, Munster, Germany.
⁶ Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
⁷ Southern Oregon Orthopedics, Medford, OR, USA; Department of Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: pjdenard@gmail.com.

PMID: 32815808
DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2020.03.032

Abstract

Background: Proximal humerus fractures are common in the elderly population and are often treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The purpose of this systematic review was to compare tuberosity healing and functional outcomes in patients undergoing RSA with humeral inclinations of 135°, 145°, and 155°.

Methods: A systematic review was performed of RSA for proximal humerus fracture using Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Radiographic and functional outcome data were extracted to evaluate tuberosity healing according to humeral inclination. Analysis was also performed of healed vs. nonhealed tuberosities.

Results: A total of 873 patients in 21 studies were included in the analysis. The mean age was 77.5 years (range of 58-97) and the mean follow-up was 26.2 months. Tuberosity healing was 83% in the 135° group compared with 69% in the 145° group and 66% in the 155° group (P = .030). Postoperative abduction was highest in the 155° group (P < .001). No significant difference was found in forward flexion, external rotation, or postoperative Constant score between groups. Patients with tuberosity healing demonstrated 18° higher forward flexion (P = .008) and 16° greater external rotation (P < .001) than those with unhealed tuberosities.

Conclusion: RSA for fracture with 135° humeral inclination is associated with higher tuberosity healing rates compared with 145° or 155°. Postoperative abduction is highest with a 155° implant, but there is no difference in in postoperative forward flexion, external rotation, or Constant score according to humeral inclination. Patients with healed tuberosities have superior postoperative forward flexion and external rotation than those with unhealed tuberosities.

Keywords: 135°; 145°; 155°; Proximal humerus fracture; humeral inclination; meta-analysis; outcomes; reverse shoulder arthroplasty; systematic review; tuberosity healing.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder* / methods
Humans
Humerus / diagnostic imaging
Humerus / physiopathology*
Humerus / surgery
Prostheses and Implants
Range of Motion, Articular
Retrospective Studies
Rotation
Shoulder Fractures / diagnostic imaging
Shoulder Fractures / surgery*
Shoulder Joint / diagnostic imaging
Shoulder Joint / physiopathology*
Shoulder Joint / surgery
Treatment Outcome
Wound Healing*