Patient reported outcomes and ranges of motion after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with and without subscapularis repair.

Background: In performing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), the role of repairing the subscapularis has been debated. Our objective was to determine the effect of subscapularis repair following rTSA on postoperative shoulder ranges of motion and patient reported outcome scores (PROs).

Methods: A prospective registry was reviewed to establish a cohort of primary rTSA patients with a 135-degree humeral implant, with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Variables collected included demographics, subscapularis repair information, diagnosis, glenosphere size, and glenoid lateralization information. Outcomes collected were range of motion measurements, subscapularis strength, and multiple generic and shoulder PROs. Multivariable linear regression models were created to predict these 2-year outcomes.

Results: The 143-patient cohort had a mean age of 69 years with 68% of patients undergoing subscapularis repair. After adjustment in the multivariable models, whether the subscapularis was repaired did not significantly predict a 2-year forward elevation, external rotation, internal rotation, subscapularis strength, Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder score, VR-12 scores, Constant Score, or American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Scores. Increased glenoid lateralization significantly predicted greater internal rotation, higher VR-12 physical score, and higher Constant Score. There were no dislocations in either group.

Conclusions: After adjusting for patient and implant factors, subscapularis repair was not associated with a 2-year postoperative range of motion, strength, or any PROs suggesting that repairing the subscapularis may not affect functional outcome. Increased glenoid lateralization through the baseplate and glenosphere independently predicted better internal rotation, VR-12 physical score, and Constant Scores indicating a benefit to lateralization during rTSA.