Reverse shoulder arthroplasty as salvage for failed prior arthroplasty in patients 65 years of age or younger

BackgroundThis study examined outcomes and complications in young patients undergoing revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for failed prior total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty and compared them with those of an age-matched cohort undergoing primary RTSA.MethodsRTSA as a revision for failed shoulder arthroplasty was performed on 36 patients younger than 65 years. Follow-up was available for 32 patients at an average of 55.3 months. Results were compared with those of an age-matched cohort of 37 patients (33 available for follow-up; average, 54.7 months) undergoing primary RTSA. Average age for both groups was 59.3 years. Outcomes were compared before and after revision surgery and between cohorts.ResultsPreoperative visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and subjective shoulder value (SSV) scores were similar in both groups, 7.3 of 10 and 24%, respectively, before revision, and 7.0 of 10 and 19% before primary RTSA (P = .3). Postrevision VAS and SSV scores improved to 1.4 of 10 and 60% (P < .0001). Average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Simple Shoulder Test scores after revision were 69.7 and 58.8, with 9 complications (28.1%; 6 major and 3 minor). VAS and SSV scores improved to 2.1 of 10 and 76% after primary RTSA (P < .0001). American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Simple Shoulder Test scores after primary RTSA were 74 and 67.3, with 6 complications (18.2%; 5 major and 1 minor). Only the postoperative SSV score was statistically different in comparing primary and revision RTSA (P < .05).ConclusionRTSA is effective in reducing pain and improving function after failed arthroplasty in young patients, but complication rates are high and expectations should be managed appropriately. Subjective outcome scores are worse than those for age-matched patients undergoing primary RTSA, but pain, functional scores, and complication rates are similar.