Convertible stemmed implants simplify revision from anatomic to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is an increasingly common procedure performed to treat end-stage glenohumeral arthritis; however, with 15-year survival rates of anatomic TSA of only 45% revision procedures are also increasingly common. In cases of revision to reverse prostheses, the use of convertible stem systems (in which the same humeral stem may be used for both anatomic and reverse arthroplasty designs) simplifies the operative procedure by allowing retention of the humeral stem, resulting in significant decreases in operative times, intra-operative blood loss, procedural and post-procedural complication rates, and cost when compared to non-convertible implant systems.