This systematic review pools long-term data from 8 retrospective studies (365 shoulders, mean follow-up 9.5 years, range 5-20 years) to evaluate whether functional outcomes after RTSA for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears hold up over time or progressively deteriorate.
When planning RTSA for a patient with a massive irreparable rotator cuff tear, counsel them that overhead function and subjective outcomes are durable for at least two decades with no measurable late decline — but set explicit expectations that external rotation will not improve with standard Grammont-style implants, and warn that scapular notching will likely progress yet may not translate to functional deterioration.
This systematic review pools long-term data from 8 retrospective studies (365 shoulders, mean follow-up 9.5 years, range 5-20 years) to evaluate whether functional outcomes after RTSA for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears hold up over time or progressively deteriorate.
When planning RTSA for a patient with a massive irreparable rotator cuff tear, counsel them that overhead function and subjective outcomes are durable for at least two decades with no measurable late decline — but set explicit expectations that external rotation will not improve with standard Grammont-style implants, and warn that scapular notching will likely progress yet may not translate to functional deterioration.