Is limited external rotation after reverse shoulder arthroplasty associated with glenoidal notching?

Abstract Background Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a valuable solution for patients with pain or injury primarily due to rotator cuff tear secondary traumatic events. Nevertheless, several complications are known appear, the most frequent being scapular notching (SN) on inferior and posterior neck. Controversial data exist about clinical relevance of SN. Since further consequences still not clearly understood, we aimed provide more clarity which factors, especially external rotation (ER), contribute appearance progress notching. Methods Constant Score (CS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), flexion, abduction, ER were evaluated retrospectively in 153 shoulders 147 (mean age 79±7.7 years; 62% women) who underwent RSA between 2005 2010. Anteroposterior radiographs before 1, 2, 3, 5 years after SN according Sirveaux classification. The evaluation was performed by two independent surgeons. Spearman ’ s coefficient t -test used. Results CS, SSV, abduction increased significantly 1 year compared (all p < 0.0001). No improvement shown same timepoints. Between 2 follow-up, only flexion decreased 5°( = 0.02) while remained constant. After RSA, increases over time. There no association at any measured Higher correlated higher every follow-up (1 r 0.88, 0.89, 3 0.86, 0.86). interrater correlation test showed strong (r 0.7). Conclusion We verified functional benefits patients. Additionally, our findings show that despite radiographic progression unchanged limited ER, postoperative improvements preserved years.