Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty in the Weight-Bearing Versus Non-Weight-Bearing Shoulder: Mid-term Outcomes With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

This retrospective review evaluated the mid-term outcomes of cemented reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients who use the shoulder for weight bearing (WB) vs non-weight-bearing (NWB) patients. Twenty-five shoulders of 21 patients who used their upper extremity for WB (WB group) were treated with cemented reverse shoulder arthroplasty and followed for a minimum of 5 years postoperatively (average, 73 months). Seventy-five consecutive shoulders of 72 patients who were NWB (NWB group) were treated and matched for duration of follow-up (average, 72 months) to serve as a control group. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically. There were no statistically significant differences between the WB group and the NWB group regarding final outcome scores or range of motion. Patient satisfaction was similar between the WB group (92%) and the NWB group (94%). The scapular notching rate was 20% in the WB group compared with 5% in the NWB group (P=.041). Humeral loosening occurred in 12% of the WB group vs 0% of the NWB group (P=.014). The complication rate was higher in the WB group than in the NWB group (12% vs 4%). The WB group and the NWB group had similar outcome scores, range of motion improvements, and patient satisfaction after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. At mid-term follow-up, the WB group had a higher scapular notching rate, humeral loosening rate, and complication rate than the NWB group. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(3):e328-e333.]. Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.