A 2011 narrative review cataloging the full complication spectrum of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) — including neurologic injury, scapular notching, dislocation, infection, baseplate failure, and acromial fracture — as indications expanded from salvage to primary procedures. Addresses both incidence data and management principles for each complication type.
When consenting patients for RTSA or evaluating postoperative problems, the failure mode depends heavily on implant design — a patient with a Grammont-style prosthesis and shoulder pain at 1 year needs notching ruled out on plain films, while inferior scapular pain after any RTSA warrants high suspicion for acromial fracture, especially if rehab is stalling.
Acute infection (<6 weeks) can be managed with irrigation, debridement, and polyethylene exchange; chronic infection requires two-stage revision with antibiotic spacer.
A 2011 narrative review cataloging the full complication spectrum of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) — including neurologic injury, scapular notching, dislocation, infection, baseplate failure, and acromial fracture — as indications expanded from salvage to primary procedures. Addresses both incidence data and management principles for each complication type.
When consenting patients for RTSA or evaluating postoperative problems, the failure mode depends heavily on implant design — a patient with a Grammont-style prosthesis and shoulder pain at 1 year needs notching ruled out on plain films, while inferior scapular pain after any RTSA warrants high suspicion for acromial fracture, especially if rehab is stalling.
Acute infection (<6 weeks) can be managed with irrigation, debridement, and polyethylene exchange; chronic infection requires two-stage revision with antibiotic spacer.