Short uncemented humeral stems can preserve humeral
bone stock and facilitate revision surgery but may be prone to malalignment
or loosening, especially when used in reverse total shoulder replacement
(TSR). We undertook a retrospective review of 44 patients with a
mean age of 76 years (59 to 92) who underwent primary reverse TSR
with a short uncemented humeral stem. There were 29 females. The
indications for joint replacement included cuff tear associated
arthropathy (33), avascular necrosis (six), post-traumatic arthritis
(two), and inflammatory arthritis (three). At a mean follow-up of
27 months (24 to 40), pain was rated as mild or none in 43 shoulders
(97.7%). The mean active elevation improved from 54° . (sd. 20°)
to 142° (. sd . 25°) and the mean active external rotation
from 14° (. sd. 13°) to 45° (. sd. 9°). The outcome,
as assessed by the modified Neer score, was excellent in 27 (61.3%),
satisfactory in 15 (34.1%), and unsatisfactory in two shoulders
(4.5%).