Abstract
Aims:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results obtained with a reversed shoulder prosthesis in cuff tear arthropathy. Materiels and methods: 37 inverted Delta 3 prosthesis were performed on 35 patients between 1995 and 1999. The average age was 74 years old (64–87). Majority were female. A pre-operative standard x-rays and CT scan assessed bone stock of the glenoid and trophicity of the deltoid.we performed a preacromial approach to obtain an excellent exposition of the glenoid. Rotator cuff were founded non reconstructable (34 cases) and in 3 cases non functionnal with fatty muscle degeneration. Results: Functionnal results were assessed using Constant score. The mean follow up was 32 months (18–70). Constant score was improved from 21,65 (8–45) in pre operative to 62,09 (35–75) in post operative. Forward flexion increased from 33 degrees (0–80) to mean 120 degrees (60–150). The operative mean value for pain was 2 and it was reduced to a mean value of 13,9 (15 = painless). 90% of the patients were satisfied and returned to their daily activities. Complications occurred 5 times: one post operative dislocation, one neuroalgodystrophy, one loosening of the glenoid component and 2 infections. Conclusion: Inverted Delta 3 prosthesis represents a successful choice for cases of irreparable rotator cuff and gleno-humeral arthritis with an excellent deltoid and a good glenoid bone stock. But it is also a salvage procedure after a failure of a non constrained prosthesis which restored stability and improved function in all patients.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
