Origins of Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty and Common Misconceptions

Abstract

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become a widely accepted procedure for patients with severe rotator cuff deficiency in the setting of glenohumeral arthritis. While the general acceptance of RSA is relatively recent, the concept of RSA is not new as several RSA devices were originally developed beginning in the 1970’s. Despite some of these reports showing few or no complications, none of these devices caught on as a viable option to treat patients with rotator cuff deficiency. The resurgence of RSA began with Paul Grammont’s work with his “Trompette” prosthesis which he designed in 1985 and later reported on in 1987. Two common misconceptions have emerged in the current RSA literature about the RSA devices from the 1970s. The first is that all RSA devices from the 1970s had high rates of failure and the second is that a lateral center of rotation caused those failures. This chapter shows the extent to which these misconceptions have been disseminated and presents evidence that counters both of these claims.