REVERSE SHOULDER PROSTHESIS: OUR EXPERIENCE

Aim. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results and complications in patients with reverse shoulder prosthesis. Methods. We reviewed the database of patients with reverse shoulder prosthesis treated at the 'San Luigi Gonzaga' University Hospital in Orbassano (Turin -Italy), in the care of the Division of Orthopaedics, from 2005 to 2012. (24 patients operated, follow-up only on 16 subjects). Then, all patients were invited to undergo a clinical control, according to the Constant & Murley score. Based on the pathogenic mechanism, we identified two groups of patients: group A (7 patients) with fracture of the humerus in four fragments and group B (6 patients) with cuff-tear arthropathy. Results, taking the Constant score into consideration, a discrepancy of values was noticed between the two groups: Constant average group A = 50.58; Constant average group B = 48 (post-operative results). Pain control and patients satisfaction achieved very good results in both groups; strength and functionality were acceptable and comparable, while motility showed disappointing results (20.3 and 17.6 of 40). After the surgical operation, all patients were satisfied and improved in 3 cases, especially those ones affected by arthropathy. Conclusion. Even if our study is limited by the small sample size and the short duration of the follow-up process, results seem to show how the reverse shoulder prosthesis is a helpful option for the treatment of humerus fractures and arthritis in elderly patients.