Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is an alternative to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for treating glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in elderly patients. This study evaluates 90-day postoperative complication rates and identifies risk factors for adverse outcomes in RSA and TSA patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research NLP Network to identify patients aged 65–90 years who underwent RSA or TSA for OA from 2006 to 2024. 1:1 propensity score matching controlled for demographics and comorbidities. Orthopedic and infectious complications were compared using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The final matched cohort included 4,117 RSA and TSA patients. RSA was associated with significantly higher odds of orthopedic complications compared to TSA. Significant risk factors for orthopedic complications in RSA included nicotine dependence (OR, 1.592; P=0.001) and hypertension (OR, 1.545; P=0.001). In TSA, risk factors included male sex (OR, 0.702; P=0.005), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.650; P=0.016), and obesity (OR, 1.776; P<0.001). For infections, RSA risk factors were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.698; P=0.005), heart failure (OR, 2.396; P<0.001), and diabetes (OR, 1.525; P=0.039). Diabetes was the only significant risk factor in TSA (OR, 2.453; P=0.003). Conclusions: RSA carries a higher risk of orthopedic complications and infection than TSA within 90 days. Distinct risk factors for each procedure highlight the need for patient-specific risk stratification to optimize preoperative assessment and surgical decision-making. Level of evidence: III.

While hip osteoarthritis (OA) is often diagnosed by plain films, posteromedial hip OA is harder to visualize, thus risking underdiagnosis among patients with symptomatic posteromedial hip OA but unremarkable plain hip and pelvis radiographs. The divergent sign, or apparent asymmetric widening of the superolateral joint space on anteroposterior view, may be a useful indicator of posteromedial OA. We present a case series of 19 patients with posteromedial hip OA diagnosable via the divergent sign and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative findings. Seventeen of these patients underwent total hip arthroplasty with successful outcomes and minimal postoperative complications, while the other 2 elected conservative management. We propose this radiographic sign should prompt clinicians to better evaluate for posteromedial hip OA with advanced imaging to sooner diagnose this condition.

Background: Kinesiology taping (KT) is a popular therapeutic modality used by athletes for sports performance enhancement. The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate appropriate KT techniques for a variety of pathologies among athletes. Indications: KT can be used to enhance athletic performance by improving strength, range of motion, and proprioception. Several application sites are commonly used in athletics for various pathologies. Technique Description: A variety of KT techniques are applied to specific joints to support athletic performance. For the ankle, the tape is applied beginning on the lateral surface of the leg, wrapping around the lateral ankle, and ending on the dorsal aspect of the foot. For the foot, a “figure 8” is applied over the metatarsal heads and along the dorsum of the foot for stability and pain control. Long Y strips are utilized to help reduce muscle fatigue and improve range of motion of the calf and shoulder, namely, the deltoid and supraspinatus muscle groups in the latter application. KT strips are used to guide the patella into a more desirable position to address patellar tracking and pain. For the biceps, an I strip of kinesiology tape is applied across its entire length from the distal insertion to the origin to enhance muscle strength and torque. Results: Evidence supports KT for short-term improvements in muscle balance, fatigue resistance, range of motion, and pain control. Discussion/Conclusion: There appears to be a role for KT in meeting short-term athletic demands such as muscle balance, fatigue resistance, range of motion, and pain control across a variety of muscle groups. The use of proper KT technique maximizes its effectiveness as a therapeutic tool for athletes and minimizes the risk of undesirable side effects. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.