Management of the Failed Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture

Abstract

A variety of reasons exist for failure of arthroplasty performed for management of proximal humerus fracture. Revision surgery for these failures is complex and has a high likelihood of inferior outcomes compared with primary arthroplasty. Successful management requires consideration of various modes of failure including tuberosity malunion or resorption, rotator cuff deficiency, glenoid arthritis, bone loss, component loosening, stiffness, or infection. Although revision to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an appealing option to address instability, rotator cuff dysfunction, and glenoid arthritis, there are concerns with higher complication rates and inferior results compared with primary reverse replacement. Any treatment plan should appropriately address the cause for failure to optimize outcomes.