Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with ipsilateral hemiparesis: a safe and durable procedure? A case series

HypothesisShoulder arthroplasty is a safe and durable procedure that provides pain relief, improved range of motion (ROM), and minimal complications for shoulder pain and dysfunction in patients with ipsilateral hemiparesis.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of all adult patients who underwent primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) or total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in the hemiparetic upper extremity at a single quaternary care academic medical center from 1988 to 2019. Patients were excluded if their neurologic insult was secondary to a spinal-cord injury, cerebral palsy, or inflammatory arthritis, if they underwent a hemiarthroplasty, if they exhibited mild hemiparesis (Medical Research Council Scale of ≥4), or if they had less than 30 days of radiographic follow-up. The primary clinical outcome was revision surgery for any reason. The secondary clinical outcomes included pain using the visual analog scale, ROM via active-assisted manual muscle testing (AAROM), and postoperative complications. The primary radiographic outcome was implant lucency using a standard scale.ResultsA total of 5 shoulders in 5 patients were included, 4 RSAs and 1 TSA with a mean clinical follow-up of 6.2 years (range: 1.42-14.2 years) and mean radiographic follow-up of 3.7 years (range: 31 days-13.5 years). No patient underwent revision surgery. The mean visual analog scale score significantly improved from 7.6 to 1.4 at the last follow-up (P = .005). The mean forward elevation AAROM improved from 27° preoperatively to 88° at the last follow-up (P = .015). There was no significant difference in external rotation at the last follow-up (P = .105). One patient had asymptomatic grade 1 glenoid component lucency with superior subluxation of the humerus after undergoing TSA at a final follow-up of 4.5 years. No other complications were reported.ConclusionShoulder arthroplasty is a durable procedure that provides pain relief, improved AAROM, and minimal complications in patients with ipsilateral hemiparesis. The increase in active-assisted forward elevation ROM can improve caregiver ease with hygiene and dressing. Patients in this study who underwent RSA did not have subsequent glenohumeral dislocation. Larger numbers of patients would be required for adequate power analysis regarding instability in this cohort of patients who may be at risk; our small series did not identify any instability events.Level of evidenceLevel IV; Treatment Study     

Total shoulder arthroplasty — current problems and possible solutions

The concept and design of a cemented unconstrained total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), introduced by Charles Neer II 25 years ago, has been successful in the management of degenerative and inflammatory conditions of the shoulder, controlling pain and, in many patients, significantly improving function. The clinical outcome is very much determined by the nature and severity of the pathology, as well as by the surgeon's experience and ability to correctly locate and fix the components. Total shoulder arthroplasty is a technically difficult procedure with perhaps a greater potential for technical errors and complications compared with other commonly performed arthroplasties. Current systems are modular on the humeral side, with varying head diameters and neck lengths, allowing more accurate coverage of the cut surface of the humeral neck and improved ability to establish the position of the joint line within the requirements of correct soft tissue tension and balance. Cemented all-polyethylene glenoid components remain the most favored, but the majority now have an increased radius of curvature compared with their corresponding humeral head, to allow translation during movement. Aseptic glenoid component loosening is the most frequently encountered long-term complication and is hastened by conforming prostheses, incorrect positioning, rotator cuff tears, and capsular contractures, but is protected by secure glenoid fixation. Cemented one-piece metal-backed glenoids have been disappointing, but non-cemented glenoids are being trialed with promising early results, although they have introduced their own particular problems of rapid polyethylene wear and component dissociation. Although cemented humeral components have a very low incidence of symptomatic loosening, most surgeons currently use press-fit designs supplemented with metaphyseal porous coating for osseous integration. Based on increased understanding of the morphology of the upper humerus, current designs are evolving with increased modularity, allowing the surgeon to choose the appropriate size, inclination, offset and version of the humeral component. These changes will, it is hoped, result in improved functional recovery and increased survivorship of the glenoid component. Received for publication on April 15, 1998; accepted on July 31, 1998