Massive rotator cuff tears associated with glenohumeral arthritis are currently an unsolvable clinical entity. This study strictly defines the use of bipolar hemiarthroptasty for the entity of RCTA. Materials – Methods: We review our series of 14 patients with Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy (RCTA) who underwent a bipolar prosthesis of their shoulder. The average follow up was 27.8 months (range 24–48 months) and the average age was 71 years old (range 57–84 years old), of these 14 patients there were 9 male and 5 female. None of these patients had previous shoulder surgery and all patients underwent conservative treatment that failed to improve their symptoms or range of motion. Results: Preoperatively the average forward flexion was 300, external rotation 100 and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score was 25 points. Postoperativety the average forward flexion improved to 880, external rotation increased to 370 and the ASES score improved to 80 pts, 12 of the 14 patients stated that they had no pain with activities of daily living. Two patients persisted to have moderate pain in everyday activity. Conclusion: We believe that bipolar hemiarthroplasty is currently a good option for treatment of Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy, The results of bipolar hemiarthroplasty provided more reliable pain relief than that for hemiarthroplasty

Introduction and Objective

Only few studies have investigated the outcome of exercises in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), and furthermore often excluded patients with a severe degree of OA. Several studies including a Cochrane review have suggested the need for trials comparing shoulder arthroplasty to non-surgical treatments. Before initiation of such a trial, the feasibility of progressive shoulder exercises (PSE) in patients, who are eligible for shoulder arthroplasty should be investigated. The aim was to investigate whether 12 weeks of PSE is feasible in patients with OA or CTA eligible for shoulder arthroplasty. Moreover, to report changes in shoulder function and range of motion (ROM) following the exercise program.

Hemiarthroplasty has been accepted as a viable alternative in the treatment of painful arthritis due to massive rotator cuff failure in patients with well-preserved functional active forward elevation of the shoulder. Unfortunatley, the early clinical results and long-term durability of hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) have been inferior to those seen in other disorders, most notably concentric osteoarthritis. Concern regarding the potential need for revision to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty has given rise to the notion of a resurfacing prosthesis as a primary procedure rather than a traditional stemmed-hemiarthroplasty in the hopes of reducing procedural and postoperative complications.

Eleven resurfacing humeral arthroplasties (Global CAP, Depuy) were performed for RCTA as a primary arthroplasty. There were six males and five females, average age of 74.7 years. 36% had undergone previous surgery on the affected side. All had failed a minimum of one year of non-operative treatment prior to surgery. Follow-up averaged eight months (range 4–12).

Prospective mean data analysis showed an improvement in all scales from preoperative baseline levels inclusive of the SST (3.5–6), ASES assessment form (8–17.5), Constant score (49–79) and the DASH (50–27). Mean active forward elevation remained relatively unchanged (one hundred and nine to one hundred degrees), while mean active external rotation improved (thirty-three to fifty-four degrees). Mean computerised muscle testing showed improvement in both elevation (5.1–7.7 N/m) and external rotation strength (2.6–5 N/m). Radiographic analysis has not shown any evidence of implant loosening to date.

Resurfacing humeral arthroplasty seems to demonstrate early favorable clinical results in this group of patients with RCTA. This may serve as an alternative to a stemmed-hemiarthroplasty in these patients and possibly result in a less complicated revision to a reverse prosthesis in the future should this be deemed necessary. Given these results are early, ongoing clincal followup will be necessary to define the longer-term durability of this procedure.

Aim of Study: To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed radio-frequency ablation to the suprascapular nerve in patients with chronic shoulder pain secondary to cuff tear arthropathy.

Methods: Twelve patients with chronic shoulder pain secondary to cuff tear arthropathy were recruited following ethics approval. Mean age 68 yrs (60–83 yrs). The suprascapular notch was identified under image intensifier and the suprascapular nerve lesioned with pulsed radiofrequency ablation for 120 seconds. Patients were assessed with the Oxford and Constant Shoulder scores, Visual Analogue pain score and sleep score pre, 3 and 6 months post procedure. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the Friedman test (non parametric analysis of variance).

Results: Ten patients had an improvement in the visual analogue pain score and Constant score, 11 in the Oxford score and all an improvement in sleep pattern.

Conclusions: Shoulder pain was reduced in 10 out 12 patients up to 6 months post procedure. This procedure may be a useful adjunct in elderly patients with painful cuff tear arthropathy who are not suitable for surgery.

This pilot study reports the clinical outcomes of a combination of partial subscapularis tendon transfer and small-head hemiarthroplasty in patients with rotatator cuff arthropathy. A total of 30 patients (30 shoulders; eight men and 22 women) with a mean age of 74 years (55 to 84) were assessed at a mean follow-up of 31 months (24 to 60). The inclusion criteria were painful cuff tear arthropathy with normal deltoid function and a non-degenerative subscapularis muscle and tendon and a preserved teres minor.

Outcome was assessed using the University of California Los Angeles score, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and the Oxford Shoulder Score. Radiographic measurements included the centre of rotation distance and the length of the deltoid.

All clinical scores were significantly improved post-operatively. The active flexion and external rotation improved significantly at the most recent follow-up (p < 0.035). Although the mean centre of rotation distance changed significantly (p < 0.001), the mean length of the deltoid did not change significantly from the pre-operative value (p = 0.29). The change in the length of the deltoid with < 100° flexion was significantly less than that with > 100° (p < 0.001).

Progressive erosion of the glenoid was seen in four patients. No patient required revision or further surgery.

A combination of partial subscapularis tendon transfer and small-head hemiarthroplasty effectively restored function and relieved pain in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy.

Cite this article: 2015;97-B:1090–5.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) was released into the United States market in 2004 for the indication of Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy. Since that time the indications have widened and now include massive rotator cuff tears that are not deemed to be surgically repairable. This diagnosis includes patients that are considered young in terms of shoulder replacement surgery. These patients do not have the radiographic changes of arthropathy, but most have undergone multiple surgical procedures in the past to attempt to repair the rotator cuff deficiency. These younger patients have a different post-op expectation than the patient with advanced arthropathy over the age of 70. The complication rate seen in this younger patient population is higher than seen in the older population undergoing RSA. The post-operative survey for satisfaction is also considerably lower in the younger population group. RSA for massive rotator cuff tears in a younger population under the age of 65 years gives a lower patient satisfaction result and a higher complication rate than age-matched patients older than 65 years. Although this is still the best procedure available for this difficult diagnosis, patients younger than 65 years should be consulted as to what their expectations are post-operatively. Pain relief is still the main reason to undergo an RSA

Introduction. Both anatomic (aTSA) and reverse (rTSA) total shoulder arthroplasty are the standard of care for various end-stage degenerative conditions of the glenohumeral joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common indication for aTSA while Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy (CTA) is the most common indication for rTSA. Worldwide, the usage of both aTSA and rTSA has increased significantly due in part, to the predictability of acceptable outcomes achieved with each prosthesis type. The aim of this study is to quantify outcomes using 5 different metrics and compare results achieved for each indication using one platform total shoulder arthroplasty system which utilizes the same humeral component and instrumentation to perform both aTSA or rTSA. Methods. 200 patients (70.9 ± 7.3 yrs) were treated by two orthopaedic surgeons using either aTSA or rTSA. 73 patients received aTSA (67.4 ± 8.0 yrs) for treatment of OA (PHF: 64 patients; YM: 9 patients) and 127 patients received a rTSA (72.9 ± 6.1 yrs) for treatment of CTA (PHF: 53 patients; YM: 74 patients). These patients were scored pre-operatively and at latest follow-up using the SST, UCLA, ASES, Constant, and SPADI metrics; active abduction, forward flexion, and external rotation were also measured. The average follow-up for all patients was 31.4 ± 9.7 months (aTSA: 32.5 ± 12.1 months; rTSA: 30.8 ± 8.0 months). A Student's two-tailed, unpaired t-test was used to identify differences in pre-operative, post-operative, and pre-to-post-operative improvements in results, where p < 0.05 denoted a significant difference. Results. All patients demonstrated significant improvements in pain and function following treatment of OA with aTSA and of CTA with rTSA. No instances of instability or glenoid loosening were reported in either cohort; one instance of infection occurred in the rTSA cohort. The average pre- and post-operative outcome scores and range of motion measurements are presented in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The average improvement in outcome scores and range of motion measurements are presented in Figure 3, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that CTA patients had significantly lower pre-operative scores as measured by 3 of the 5 metrics and significantly less active abduction and forward flexion than OA patients. While aTSA and rTSA were used to treat different indications; each treatment method provided a significant improvement in all 5 outcome score measurements and all 3 motion measurements for its respective indication at a similar mean follow-up. Interestingly, a few comparative differences were observed: aTSA was associated with significantly higher post-operative scores according to 2 of the 5 metrics, greater range of motion according to all 3 active motion measurements, and was demonstrated to be significantly more effective at improving active external rotation; whereas, rTSA was associated with significantly larger improvements in outcome scores according to 2 of the 5 metrics and was demonstrated to be significantly more effective at improving active forward flexion. Additional and longer term follow-up is required to confirm these findings