Reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients aged 65 years or younger: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is offered to young patients with a failed previous arthroplasty or a cuff-deficient shoulder, but the overall results are still uncertain. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to report the midterm outcomes and complications of RSA in patients younger than 65 years.

Methods: A search of the MEDLINE and Cochrane electronic databases identified clinical studies reporting the results, at a minimum 2-year follow-up, of patients younger than 65 years treated with an RSA. The methodologic quality was assessed with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score by 2 independent reviewers. Complications, reoperations, range of motion, functional scores, and radiologic outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Eight articles were included, with a total of 417 patients. The mean age at surgery was 56 years (range, 21-65 years). RSA was used as a primary arthroplasty in 79% of cases and revision of a failed arthroplasty in 21%. In primary cases, the indications were cuff tear arthropathy and/or massive irreparable cuff tear in 72% of cases. The overall complication rate was 17% (range, 7%-38%), with the most common complications being instability (5%) and infection (4%). The reintervention rate was 10% at 4 years, with implant revision in 7% of cases. The mean weighted American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, active forward elevation, and external rotation were 64 points, 121°, and 29°, respectively.

Conclusions: RSA provides reliable clinical improvements in patients younger than 65 years with a cuff-deficient shoulder or failed arthroplasty. The complication and revision rates are comparable to those in older patients.