Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures in the geriatric patient: results, health-related quality of life and complication rates.

PURPOSE: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in fractures is especially indicated in patients of advanced age, although the influence of age on functional outcomes, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and complication rate is unknown. We hypothesized that complication rate would decrease in the geriatric population because of their reduced activity, improving the perceived HRQoL.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 42 patients with proximal humeral fractures treated with RSA, divided into two groups: <80 years (<80y)(n = 16) and ≥80 years (≥80y)(n = 26). The assessment tools used were radiological images (functional outcome) with the Constant-Murley score(CMS); disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score; and HRQoL with the EQ-5D index. Mean follow-up time was 32.6 months.

RESULTS

Mean CMS adjusted for age and sex (R-CMS) was 68 % ± 29 %. Patients in the ≥80y group had a lower total CMS, 33 vs 64 (p = 0.027). Mean active range of motion at 24 months <80y/≥80y was: forward flexion: 126°/110°; abduction: 117°/105°; external rotation: 22°/20°; and internal rotation: L3/sacrum. Mean EQ-VAS was 74 ± 16 in the <80y group, and 63 ± 12.6 in the ≥80y group. Mean DASH was 29.5 ± 9.2. The EQ-5D "self-care" item in the >80y group was the most affected. The "pain/discomfort" item was lower for the two age groups than for the reference population. There were 9.5 % complications: one prosthesis dislocation, one periprosthetic fracture and two surgical wound haematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that age is a critical factor for RSA success. Lower functional outcomes have been obtained in patients older than 80y, although the EQ-5D results in our sample were similar or even better than the referred population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.