Scapula fracture incidence in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using screws above or below metaglene central cage: clinical and biomechanical outcomes

Justin C. Kennon, Caroline Lu, Meghan E. McGee-Lawrence, Lynn A. Crosby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a viable treatment option for rotator cuff tear arthropathy but carries a complication risk of scapular fracture. We hypothesized that using screws above the central glenoid axis for metaglene fixation creates a stress riser contributing to increased scapula fracture incidence. Clinical type III scapular fracture incidence was determined with screw placement correlation: superior screw vs. screws placed exclusively below the glenoid midpoint. Cadaveric RTSA biomechanical modeling was employed to analyze scapular fractures. Methods We reviewed 318 single-surgeon single-implant RTSAs with screw correlation to identify type III scapular fractures. Seventeen cadaveric scapula specimens were matched for bone mineral density, metaglenes implanted, and fixation with 2 screw configurations: inferior screws alone (group 1INF) vs. inferior screws with one additional superior screw (group 2SUP). Biomechanical load to failure was analyzed. Results Of 206 patients, 9 (4.4%) from the superior screw group experienced scapula fractures (type III); 0 fractures (0/112; 0%) were identified in the inferior screw group. Biomechanically, superior screw constructs (group 2SUP) demonstrated significantly (P < .05) lower load to failure (1077 N vs. 1970 N) compared with constructs with no superior screws (group 1INF). There was no significant age or bone mineral density discrepancy. Conclusion Clinical scapular fracture incidence significantly decreased (P < .05) for patients with no screws placed above the central cage compared with patients with superior metaglene screws. Biomechanical modeling demonstrates significant construct compromise when screws are used above the central cage, fracturing at nearly half the ultimate load of the inferior screw constructs. We recommend use of inferior screws, all positioned below the central glenoid axis, unless necessary to stabilize the metaglene construct.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1023-1030
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Volume26
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2017

Keywords

  • Reverse total shoulder
  • arthroplasty
  • biomechanical
  • clinical
  • complication
  • metaglene
  • outcomes
  • scapula fracture

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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