Grammont reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nonreconstructible rotator cuff lesions

This study was undertaken to determine whether patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and irreparable rotator cuff rupture can be treated successfully with the Grammont shoulder arthroplasty. Seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (8 shoulders) with nonreconstructible rotator cuff lesions and Larsen stage-V radiographic changes of the glenoid and the humeral head underwent a Grammont reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The Constant score improved from a mean of 17 points (range 4 to 25) preoperatively to a mean of 63 points (range 41 to 79) at a mean of 54 months (range 48 to 73) after shoulder arthroplasty. The mean strength at 90° of abduction measured 3.6 kg (range 1 to 6). Shoulder instability was not observed. Complications included septic implant loosening (1 shoulder), aseptic glenoid loosening (2), and failed acromion osteosynthesis following the transacromial approach (3). These data of Grammont arthroplasty are encouraging with respect to restoration of stability and satisfactory function in rheumatoid, cuff-deficient shoulders. However, glenoid loosening remained a serious problem, and transacromial approaches were complicated by failure of acromial fixation. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001;10:17-22.)