Despite advances in technique and implant design, instability after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty remains a challenging postoperative complication.
We examined our institutions' first 57 reverse total shoulder arthroplasties performed during a 3-year period (2004-2006). There were 9 cases of instability, all occurring within the first 6 months after surgery.
Early instability after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty can be related to inadequate soft tissue, inadequate deltoid tension, malpositioned implants, and/or infection, and outcomes of treatment of early instability are generally poor.
Level of evidence: Level IV, Case Series, Treatment Study. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Despite advances in technique and implant design, instability after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty remains a challenging postoperative complication.
We examined our institutions' first 57 reverse total shoulder arthroplasties performed during a 3-year period (2004-2006). There were 9 cases of instability, all occurring within the first 6 months after surgery.
Early instability after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty can be related to inadequate soft tissue, inadequate deltoid tension, malpositioned implants, and/or infection, and outcomes of treatment of early instability are generally poor.
Level of evidence: Level IV, Case Series, Treatment Study. Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.