Greater Tuberosity Fractures after RTSA: A Matched Group Analysis

Periprosthetic fractures, such as acromial and spine fractures, are known complications following implantation of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). The entity of greater tuberosity fractures (GTF) has rarely been studied in the literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of postoperative greater tuberosity fractures after RTSA compared to a matched control group. The main findings of this study are that a GTF after RTSA is associated with worse clinical outcome scores (mean absolute CS 50 +/- 19 (p = 0.032); SSV 63% +/- 26 (p = 0.022); mean force 1 kg +/- 2 kg (p = 0.044)) compared with the control group (mean absolute CS 62 +/- 21; SSV 77% +/- 29; mean force 2 kg +/- 2 kg). In terms of postoperative range of motion, the fracture group was significantly worse in terms of external rotation (17 degrees +/- 19 degrees vs. 30 degrees +/- 19 degrees (p = 0.029)). Internal rotation, flexion, as well as abduction of the shoulder appear to be unaffected (internal rotation GTF 4 +/- 2, control group 5 +/- 3 (p = 0.138); flexion GTF 102 degrees +/- 28 degrees, control group 114 degrees +/- 27 degrees (p = 0.160); abduction GTF 109 degrees +/- 42 degrees, control group 120 degrees +/- 39 degrees (p = 0.317)).