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Inverted TSA Massive Cuff Rupture 2

Sirveaux·BJJ_Grammont·2004·Shoulder & Elbow
Summary

This multicenter study reviewed 80 Grammont inverted (reverse) shoulder arthroplasties in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis and irreparable massive cuff tears. It asks whether an implant that makes the deltoid drive a cuff-deficient shoulder restores function at mid-term follow-up. It also introduces classifications for glenoid erosion and scapular notching.

Key Findings

  • The Constant score nearly tripled from 22.6 to 65.5 points (p < 0.001) and active forward elevation rose from 73° to 138°. This is why the reverse design beat the ~110° to 112° ceiling of hemiarthroplasty for cuff-tear arthropathy.
  • Pain relief was excellent, with 96% (74 of 77) reporting no or only minimal pain. The antalgic benefit matched hemiarthroplasty, but the elevation gain was far better.
  • Teres minor integrity was decisive for function: Constant score was 67 points when intact vs 58 when torn (p = 0.01). Because the deltoid replaces the cuff, teres minor is the last remaining external rotator, and its loss produced a hornblower sign in 18 patients.
  • The authors defined the Sirveaux glenoid erosion classification (E0 to E3):
    –E0: upward humeral migration, no glenoid erosion
    –E1: concentric glenoid erosion
    –E2: erosion of the superior glenoid
    –E3: erosion extending to the inferior glenoid
  • They also defined the scapular notch grading (grades 1 to 4) from impingement of the humeral cup on the scapular pillar:
    –Grade 1: confined to the pillar
    –Grade 2: in contact with the lower screw
    –Grade 3: over the lower screw
    –Grade 4: extends under the baseplate
  • Scapular notching appeared in 63.6% (49 of 77), with grade 3 or 4 in 16.25%. High-grade notches significantly lowered the Constant score (p < 0.05) and raised concern for future glenoid failure.
  • Mechanical complications included glenoid loosening in 6.25% and glenosphere dissociation (unscrewing) in 8.75%. Medializing the center of rotation reduces glenoid shear, but fixation and notching remained the weak links.
  • Survivorship for component failure was 91.3% at 5 years, 74.6% at 7 years, and 29.8% at 8 years. The steep late drop, using first-generation implants, is why the authors reserved this for elderly patients.
Board PearlThe reverse prosthesis lowers and medializes the center of rotation so the deltoid replaces the absent cuff, tripling the Constant score in cuff-tear arthropathy.

Clinical Relevance

When you see an elderly patient with pseudoparalysis, an irreparable massive cuff tear, and glenohumeral arthritis, the cuff is gone and the deltoid needs a mechanical advantage to elevate the arm. The Grammont design provides that by lowering and medializing the center of rotation, lengthening the deltoid moment arm and converting destabilizing glenoid shear into compression.

That mental model explains both the win (elevation to 138° vs the ~112° ceiling of hemiarthroplasty) and the trade-offs you must counsel on: scapular notching, glenoid loosening, and glenosphere dissociation.

Two pearls to carry into practice. First, assess teres minor preoperatively, because it is the external rotator that determines whether the patient regains functional rotation. Second, in E2 and E3 glenoids, seat the baseplate low with a slight inferior tilt to limit notching.

The sharp survivorship drop after seven years with these early implants is the reason the authors restrict this to elderly patients with adequate glenoid bone stock.

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|

Inverted TSA Massive Cuff Rupture 2

Sirveaux·BJJ_Grammont·2004·Shoulder & Elbow
Summary

This multicenter study reviewed 80 Grammont inverted (reverse) shoulder arthroplasties in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis and irreparable massive cuff tears. It asks whether an implant that makes the deltoid drive a cuff-deficient shoulder restores function at mid-term follow-up. It also introduces classifications for glenoid erosion and scapular notching.

Key Findings

  • The Constant score nearly tripled from 22.6 to 65.5 points (p < 0.001) and active forward elevation rose from 73° to 138°. This is why the reverse design beat the ~110° to 112° ceiling of hemiarthroplasty for cuff-tear arthropathy.
  • Pain relief was excellent, with 96% (74 of 77) reporting no or only minimal pain. The antalgic benefit matched hemiarthroplasty, but the elevation gain was far better.
  • Teres minor integrity was decisive for function: Constant score was 67 points when intact vs 58 when torn (p = 0.01). Because the deltoid replaces the cuff, teres minor is the last remaining external rotator, and its loss produced a hornblower sign in 18 patients.
  • The authors defined the Sirveaux glenoid erosion classification (E0 to E3):
    –E0: upward humeral migration, no glenoid erosion
    –E1: concentric glenoid erosion
    –E2: erosion of the superior glenoid
    –E3: erosion extending to the inferior glenoid
  • They also defined the scapular notch grading (grades 1 to 4) from impingement of the humeral cup on the scapular pillar:
    –Grade 1: confined to the pillar
    –Grade 2: in contact with the lower screw
    –Grade 3: over the lower screw
    –Grade 4: extends under the baseplate
  • Scapular notching appeared in 63.6% (49 of 77), with grade 3 or 4 in 16.25%. High-grade notches significantly lowered the Constant score (p < 0.05) and raised concern for future glenoid failure.
  • Mechanical complications included glenoid loosening in 6.25% and glenosphere dissociation (unscrewing) in 8.75%. Medializing the center of rotation reduces glenoid shear, but fixation and notching remained the weak links.
  • Survivorship for component failure was 91.3% at 5 years, 74.6% at 7 years, and 29.8% at 8 years. The steep late drop, using first-generation implants, is why the authors reserved this for elderly patients.
Board PearlThe reverse prosthesis lowers and medializes the center of rotation so the deltoid replaces the absent cuff, tripling the Constant score in cuff-tear arthropathy.

Clinical Relevance

When you see an elderly patient with pseudoparalysis, an irreparable massive cuff tear, and glenohumeral arthritis, the cuff is gone and the deltoid needs a mechanical advantage to elevate the arm. The Grammont design provides that by lowering and medializing the center of rotation, lengthening the deltoid moment arm and converting destabilizing glenoid shear into compression.

That mental model explains both the win (elevation to 138° vs the ~112° ceiling of hemiarthroplasty) and the trade-offs you must counsel on: scapular notching, glenoid loosening, and glenosphere dissociation.

Two pearls to carry into practice. First, assess teres minor preoperatively, because it is the external rotator that determines whether the patient regains functional rotation. Second, in E2 and E3 glenoids, seat the baseplate low with a slight inferior tilt to limit notching.

The sharp survivorship drop after seven years with these early implants is the reason the authors restrict this to elderly patients with adequate glenoid bone stock.

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