Background: The use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty as a primary and revision implant is increasing. Advances in implant design and preoperative surgical planning allow the management of complex glenoid defects. As the demand for treating severe bone loss increases, custom allograft composites are needed to match the premorbid anatomy. Baseplate composite structural allografts are used in patients with eccentric and centric defects to restore the glenoid joint line. Preserving bone stock is important in younger patients where a revision surgery is expected. The aim of this article is to present the assessment, planning, and indications of femoral head allografting for bony defects of the glenoid. Methods: The preoperative surgical planning and the surgical technique to execute the plan with a baseplate composite graft are detailed. The preliminary clinical and radiological results of 29 shoulders which have undergone this graft planning and surgical technique are discussed. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue score of pain (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Constant–Murley score (CS), satisfaction before and after operation, and active range of motion. Radiological outcomes included graft healing and presence of osteolysis or loosening. Results: The use of composite grafts in this series has shown excellent clinical outcomes, with an overall graft complication rate in complex bone loss cases of 8%. Conclusion: Femoral head structural allografting is a valid and viable surgical option for glenoid bone defects in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Proximal humeral bone deficiency in revision shoulder arthroplasty is an emerging and challenging problem as the use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) increases. This paper presents a technical note discussing our detailed preoperative planning steps, surgical techniques, and their rationale in carrying out the use of an allograft prosthetic composite (APC) to address proximal humeral bone deficiency in revision RSA. The outcomes of this technique are also presented. This paper also presents a systematic review to further discuss the existing literature on RSA with APCs. Methods: The preoperative surgical planning and the surgical technique employed to execute proximal humeral reconstruction using APC during revision arthroplasty are discussed in the technical note. The preliminary clinical and radiological results of five patients who underwent revision shoulder arthroplasty with proximal humeral reconstruction using APCs are presented. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform the systematic review. A systematic search using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted. All studies involving RSA and APCs were pooled, and the data were extracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 14 studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review, with a total of 255 patients and a mean follow-up of 57 months. All studies in the systematic review and the patients included in the author’s case series showed improvements in the level of pain, range of motion, function, and satisfaction. Graft incorporation in the systematic review was 84%. Conclusions: Based on the available literature and the results of our case series, the use of an APC construct is a viable option for proximal humeral bone deficiency in revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Introduction: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept in arthroplasty surgery has led to a reduction in postoperative length of stay in recent years. Patients with prolonged length of stay (PLOS) add to the burden of a strained NHS. Our aim was to identify the main reasons. Methods: A PLOS was arbitrarily defined as an inpatient hospital stay of four days or longer from admission date. A total of 2,000 consecutive arthroplasty patients between September 2017 and July 2018 were reviewed. Of these, 1,878 patients were included after exclusion criteria were applied. Notes for 524 PLOS patients were audited to determine predominant reasons for PLOS. Results: The mean total length of stay was 4 days (1 to 42). The top three reasons for PLOS were social services, day-before-surgery admission, and slow to mobilize. Social services accounted for 1,224 excess bed days, almost half (49.2%, 1,224/2,489) of the sum of excess bed days. Conclusion: A preadmission discharge plan, plus day of surgery admission and mobilization on the day of surgery, would have the potential to significantly reduce length of stay without compromising patient care. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-8:488–493.

Radial nerve injury is a recognised complication associated with humeral shaft fracture. A case of iatrogenic radial nerve injury is presented following fracture reduction. The relevant anatomy, challenges in management of humeral fractures with associated radial nerve injury, and the importance of detailed clinical assessment and documentation are discussed.

Background: Complete long head of the triceps release (LHTR) during reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) aims to eliminate inferior impingement and ensures tether-free range of motion (ROM). However, it remains infrequently performed due to concerns such as triceps strength deficits and instability. This study aimed to present the clinical and radiological outcomes following RSA with LHTR, focusing on the impact on triceps strength. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent primary RSA with LHTR. The primary outcome was 2-year triceps strength compared with the preoperative strength. Secondary outcomes were the improvement of shoulder ROM, Constant Score, American Shoulder and Elbow (ASES) Score, and Visual Analog Score (VAS) at 2-year postoperative time point, and radiological outcomes including notching and heterotopic ossification (HO). Results: Eighty patients were included with mean age of 71.1 years. Two-year triceps strength was comparable to the preoperative strength (6.3 kg vs. 6.2 kg, p = .703). Active ROM, VAS, ASES, and Constant scores significantly improved at 2 years postoperatively (p < .001). Notching was present in 15% of patients while HO was present in 18.75%. There were no dislocations or neurovascular injuries. Discussion: Complete LHTR during RSA appears safe with no adverse effect on triceps strength, patient-reported outcomes, or stability.