Long-term outcomes of Grammont style reverse shoulder arthroplasty at a minimum of 10-year follow-up: A survival analysis.

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is an established and successful treatment for rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Despite increased popularity, there is a paucity of long-term survivorship data and patient-reported outcome measures. This study aimed to establish the survival at a minimum 10-year follow-up for a Grammont-style reverse shoulder prosthesis.

Methods: A single centre, retrospective case series of 101 primary RSAs in 86 patients, performed between 1999 and 2012 was conducted. The primary outcome measure was all-cause revision. Implant survivorship analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method was conducted. Deaths were censored. Secondary outcomes included up-to-date Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) in surviving patients, historic OSS scores over time and radiological outcomes.

Results: Mean age was 76 years (SD ± 7.29) at time of surgery. The 10-year implant survival was 93.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87.8-98.6). The mean OSS was 33 (range 17-48, 95% CI 29.1-36.9) with a minimum of 10-year follow-up (n = 21). Radiographic review showed scapular notching in 79% of implants over 10 years old, but no radiolucency around humeral implants.

Conclusions: The rate of RSA survivorship is high at 93.2% at 10 years. Most patients died with their primary implant in-situ. Functional outcome scores were less predictable over time.