Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (15): 2432-2438.doi: 10.12307/2022.603

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Complications of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures: periprosthetic bone resorption and aseptic prosthesis loosening

Li Jianan, Lin Fengsong, Bu Guoyun, Yang Tao, Wei Wanfu   

  1. Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300202, China
  • Received:2021-07-26 Revised:2021-09-14 Accepted:2021-10-26 Online:2022-05-28 Published:2022-01-07
  • Contact: Wei Wanfu, MD, Chief physician, Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300202, China
  • About author:Li Jianan, MD, Attending physician, Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300202, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Proximal humeral fracture is a common disease in older adults with osteoporosis. Increasing scholars prefer reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the treatment of comminuted proximal humeral fractures with or without dislocation of the shoulder. However, periprosthetic bone resorption and aseptic prosthesis loosening cannot be ignored.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress in periprosthetic bone resorption and aseptic prosthesis loosening in patients with proximal humeral fractures after reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and to analyze the influencing factors.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for articles related to aseptic prosthesis loosening, which were published from December 2000 and July 2021. The search terms were “proximal humeral fracture, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, complication, osteolysis, and aseptic loosening” in English and Chinese, respectively. Finally, 53 articles were included for review. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The average time for periprosthetic bone resorption and loosening following reverse shoulder arthroplasty is about 6 years. According to the classification of prosthetic components, periprosthetic bone resorption and loosening can be mainly divided into prosthesis stem and prosthesis base plate types. After reverse shoulder arthroplasty, periprosthetic bone absorption and aseptic prosthesis loosening result from the stimulation of periprosthetic wear particles, periprosthetic stress, and periprosthetic inflammation. After reverse shoulder arthroplasty, the incidence of bone resorption and loosening around the prosthesis stem is higher than that around the prosthesis base plate. However, the bone resorption and loosening around the prosthesis base plate often require reoperation or revision surgery. Patient factors (including patient age, gender, underlying disease conditions, etc.) and physician factors (including prosthesis selection, prosthesis fixation method, placement angle, postoperative targeted anti-osteoporosis, rehabilitation program, etc.) can lead to periprosthetic bone resorption or aseptic loosening after reverse shoulder arthroplasty of proximal humeral fractures. There are four methods to reduce the incidence of periprosthetic bone resorption and prosthesis loosening in the future: selecting the appropriate prosthesis for different patients, performing targeted surgical operations, individualized rehabilitation programs after replacement, and targeted intervention measures after replacement.

Key words: proximal humeral fracture, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, arthroplasty, complication, aseptic loosening, bone resorption, influencing factors, review

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