A study recently published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery recently found patients with rheumatoid arthritis have good outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, but are at higher risk for intraoperative and postoperative fractures.
Surgeon researchers performed 18 primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasties in 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the shoulder. The average Constant score improved from 22.5 to 64.9 over the course of 3.8 years, according to the report.
All patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the outcomes and forward elevation improved. In shoulders where the teres minor muscle was normal before the surgery, the Constant score improved from 28-74.3 points, while in shoulders with an atrophic teres minor muscle the Constant scores improved from 20.8-54.6 points. A fracture was observed in four patients, but there were no cases of dislocation, infection or component loosening and none of the patients needed revision surgery.
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All patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the outcomes and forward elevation improved. In shoulders where the teres minor muscle was normal before the surgery, the Constant score improved from 28-74.3 points, while in shoulders with an atrophic teres minor muscle the Constant scores improved from 20.8-54.6 points. A fracture was observed in four patients, but there were no cases of dislocation, infection or component loosening and none of the patients needed revision surgery.
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