Journal of Clinical Medicine (Sep 2021)

Prosthesis Designs and Tuberosity Fixation Techniques in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Influence on Tuberosity Healing in Proximal Humerus Fractures

  • Olivia Jo,
  • Paul Borbas,
  • Florian Grubhofer,
  • Eugene T. Ek,
  • Christopher Pullen,
  • Thomas Treseder,
  • Lukas Ernstbrunner

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10184146
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 18
p. 4146

Abstract

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Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is increasingly used for the treatment of complex proximal humerus fractures and fracture sequelae. In 2021, half a dozen models of fracture stems are commercially available, reflecting its growing utility for fracture management. Prosthesis designs, bone grafting and tuberosity fixation techniques have evolved to allow better and more reliable fixation of tuberosities and bony ingrowth. Patients with anatomical tuberosity healing not only have an increased range of active anterior elevation and external rotation, but also experience fewer complications and longer prosthesis survival. This review provides an overview of recent evidence on basic and fracture-specific RTSA design features as well as tuberosity fixation techniques that can influence tuberosity healing.

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