Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of comminuted fracture of proximal humerus in elderly patients with rotator cuff injury

Abstract

To investigate clinical results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in treating comminuted fracture of proximal humerus in elderly patients with rotator cuff injury. From January 2017 to December 12, 12 comminuted fracture or dislocation of proximal humerus elderly patients were diagnosed as rotator cuff injury by preoperative MRI and operative exploration, and treated by reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Among them, including 7 males and 5 females aged from 65 to 86 years old; 5 patients injured on the left side and 7 patients injured on the right side. Range of motion, postoperative complication were observed, VAS score was used to evaluate pain release and UCLA score was used to assess recovery of shoulder joint. All patients were followed up from 8 to 18 months. At the latest follow-up, shoulder range of motion conditions were as following:forward bend and lifts ranged from 90° to 150°, external rotation ranged from 10°to 30°, internal rotation could reached L₃ level(S₁-L₁), VAS was for 0 to 6 points, UCLA score ranged from 18 to 32 points, 5 patients were good and 7 patients were poor. No infection, prothesis loosening, shoulder stress fracture, injury of vessel and nerve occurred. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in treating comminuted fracture of proximal humerus in elderly patients with rotator cuff injury has advantages of early recovery of shoulder joint range of motion, less pain and high patients' satisfactory.