Outcomes of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture Using Uncemented Stems, a Single Center Study

Elias G Joseph; Aleksandr Krichmar; Mohammad Nadir Haider; Thomas R Duquin

doi:10.1177/24715492221127686

Outcomes of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture Using Uncemented Stems, a Single Center Study

J Shoulder Elb Arthroplast. 2022 Sep 21:6:24715492221127686. doi: 10.1177/24715492221127686. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Elias G Joseph¹, Aleksandr Krichmar¹, Mohammad Nadir Haider¹, Thomas R Duquin¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the clinical, functional, radiographic, and survival outcomes in patients undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with uncemented stem fixation for proximal humerus fractures.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that evaluated a consecutive series of patients with proximal humerus fractures undergoing RSA. Clinical data, radiographs, and re-operation rates were reviewed in patients selected for uncemented stem fixation. The same parameters were compared to the remainder of the cohort undergoing cemented stem fixation.

Results: The uncemented group (n = 16, median total follow-up = 108 weeks) and cemented group (n = 12, median total follow-up = 223 weeks, p = 0.110) did not differ statistically in pre-operative demographic, post-operative outcomes or incidence of complications. Two patients (12.5%) in the uncemented group required a reoperation (Week 52 and 180) versus none in the cemented group.

Conclusion: Uncemented stem fixation in RSA for proximal humerus fractures does not yield worse results than cemented stem fixation in properly selected patients. Prospective non-inferiority trials comparing outcomes are recommended.

Keywords: cemented stem fixation; humerus; proximal humerus fracture; reverse arthroplasty for fracture; shoulder arthroplasty; uncemented stem fixation.