Is malunion of the greater tuberosity after reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients with complex proximal humerus fracture associated with worse clinical outcomes? A prospective cohort study

• Published in: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery 2023-11, Vol.143 (11), p.6527-6533
• Main Authors: Fischer, Janic, Welter, JoEllen, Horn, Nils, Graber, Simon, Pape, Hans-Christoph, Jaberg, Laurenz, Hess, Florian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical outcomes; Cohort analysis; Joint surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopaedic Surgery; Orthopedics; Shoulder
• ISSN: 1434-3916; 0936-8051; 1434-3916
• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-023-04951-6

Purpose To assess patient outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients with complex proximal humerus fracture and the clinical implications of greater tuberosity malunions. Methods This prospective study included 56 patients who underwent RSA (DELTA XTEND™, DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA) to treat proximal humerus fractures. We used a standardized suture technique to reattach the tuberosities. Demographic, comorbidity, and radiological parameters were collected. Assessments at 2-year follow-up ( n  = 49) are given as follows: range of motion (ROM), pain level, Constant Murley scores (CS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), and tuberosity healing. Results Anatomic tuberosity healing was achieved in 31 (55%) patients (group 1), 14 (25%) had a malunion (group 2), and complete migration occurred in 11 (20%) (group 3). No statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2 were detected: CS ( p  = 0.53), SSV ( p  = 0.07), ROM (forward flexion (FF) p  = 0.19, internal rotation (IR) p  = 0.34, and external rotation (ER) p  = 0.76). Group 3 had poorer outcomes (median [IQR]) than group 1: CS (59 [50–71]) vs. 72 [65–78]), FF (120 [100–150]) vs. 150 [125–160] and ER (− 20 [− 20 to 10] vs. 30 [20–45], respectively. Three complications (group 1) occurred: one-stage revision after low-grade infection, haematoma due to early rivaroxaban intake, and open reduction and internal fixation for acromion insufficiency fracture. No patients showed signs of stem or glenoid loosening after 2 years. Conclusion Cases with complete superior migration experienced poorer clinical outcomes than those with anatomic healing. Despite a relatively high malunion rate, the outcomes were not significantly worse in these patients compared to anatomically healed GT cases.