Biomechanics of failure of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Abstract

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been a great aide to the orthopedic surgeons for cuff tear arthropathies. RSAs should have a good biomechanical baseline; otherwise it may lead to some complications. First, the lack of rotator cuff muscles may predispose to instability. Next, stress on the deltoid from lateralization and/or distalization may lead to acromial fractures or deltoid insufficiency. Furthermore, changing the center of rotation may result in impingement between prosthesis and osseous structures. The purpose of this chapter is to define the biomechanics of failure of RSA in patients with cuff tear arthropathies.