Stemless RSA shows good short-term radiological stability and clinical outcomes in elderly patients

Background

The main goal of this study was to investigate the influence of patient age on humeral implant fixation in stemless reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The secondary goals were to investigate the influence on the occurrence of complications and on clinical outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicenter study, including a series of patients operated on for stemless RSA. All patients were reviewed at a minimum of 2 years, with clinical and radiographic evaluation. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of migration of the humeral implant at the final follow-up. Secondary endpoints were clinical scores, occurrence of postoperative complications, need for revision surgery, and radiographic changes. Each patient ≥70 year old was matched on gender and body mass index,with a patient < 70 year old on a 1:1 basis.

Results

Forty-five patients aged ≥70 years were included and matched, with 45 patients aged <70 years, giving a total of 90 patients (54.4% men) with the mean age being 68.5 ± 7.9 years. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of surgical modalities. There was no correlation between age and clinical outcomes. Three migrations of the humeral implant occurred, none leading to a revision, without any influence of age (P = 1.0). We found no correlation between patient age and the occurrence of a postoperative complication (P = 1.0), reoperation (P = 1.0) or any of the other radiographic parameters assessed.

Conclusion

This study reported the stability of stemless RSA implants in elderly patients. Clinical outcomes, complication, and revision rates were not affected by age either.