Long-Term Outcomes Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review with a Minimum Follow-Up of 10 Years.

Abstract

Background: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is a crucial intervention for restoring shoulder function and alleviating pain. The aim of this review was to evaluate long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of rTSA patients with a minimum follow-up of 10 years.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases until September 2024. Studies in English or German with a minimum 10-year follow-up were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024558828).

Results: Of 673 studies, 7 retrospective case series with Level IV evidence met the inclusion criteria, totaling 469 rTSA procedures in 460 patients. The weighted mean age was 71 years, with 63% female patients. The mean follow-up was 12 years, with a 63% lost to follow-up. Four studies conducted all follow-ups in a clinical setting, while 3 used either outpatient visits (20 to 41%) or phone/mail interviews. The weighted mean reported revision-free implant survivorship reported in 5 studies was 88% at 10 years. Overall, the complication rate was 36% with need for further revision in 23% of patients. The revisions were primarily due to infection (8%), instability (7%), and glenoidal complications (3%). Significant functional improvements were noted across all studies. The absolute Constant score (CS) improved from 27 to 62 across 5 studies, and the relative CS improved from 37% preoperatively to 81% across 3 studies. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score improved from 35 to 74 (p < 0.001) and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation from 23 to 73 (p < 0.001), in 1 study each. The Subjective Shoulder Value increased from 28% to 79% (p = 0.001) in 2 studies. Weighted mean range of motion improvements included active abduction of 54°, active anterior elevation of 52°, and active external rotation of 8°. Longitudinal outcomes were reported to be stable in the due course in 5 studies and deteriorated in 1. Scapular notching varied widely, with Nerot-Sirveaux grades I and II in 15% to 59% of cases, and grades III and IV in 7% to 47%.

Conclusion: RTSA appears to provide substantial long-term improvements in shoulder function, clinical outcomes, and pain relief, albeit with significant complication and revision rates. However, caution is warranted when interpreting the data due to high lost-to-follow-up rates and limited data quality in the contemporary literature. Long-term registry data will be essential.

Level of evidence: Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.