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Complications Associated with RSA

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Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

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Abstract

The incidence of complications continues to be a concern for reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs). Complication rates have been reported in various ranges, but are generally around about 20 % total with a reoperation rate of 12 %. Common complications include infection, dislocation, scapular notching, periprosthetic fracture, baseplate loosening, and hematoma formation. The complications are dependent upon the indication for the surgery whether for rotator cuff arthropathy or unfixable proximal humerus fracture and whether the surgery is a primary surgery or surgery performed in the revision setting. Many of these complications may be at least partially understood by the unique alteration in patient anatomy created after RSAs and implant design. The definition, relative incidence, work-up, treatment, and occasionally prevention recommendations are presented in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Greenville Health System/Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas, 200 Patewood Drive, Suite C-100, Greenville, SC, 29615, USA

    Bryan J. Whitfield & Richard J. Hawkins

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  1. Bryan J. Whitfield
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  2. Richard J. Hawkins
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Correspondence to Richard J. Hawkins .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Orthopedic Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Mark Frankle

  2. Foundation for Orthopedic Research and Education, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Scott Marberry

  3. Foundation for Orthopedic Research and Education, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Derek Pupello

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Whitfield, B.J., Hawkins, R.J. (2016). Complications Associated with RSA. In: Frankle, M., Marberry, S., Pupello, D. (eds) Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20840-4_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20840-4_29

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