Limited improvement and high rate of complication in patients undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for previous native shoulder infection

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) surgery for the sequelae of former septic native joint shoulder arthritis are unknown but might be inferior to patients without prior bacterial arthritis. METHODS: We performed a single-center case-control study embedded in our prospective RTSA cohort. We matched all patients with prior infections in a 1:1 ratio with patients who underwent RTSA for other indications. The matching variables were indication for surgery, age, sex, dominant/nondominant shoulder, and body mass index. We evaluated outcomes by Constant score and active function. RESULTS: Among 1249 patients in the RTSA cohort, 14 were operated for sequelae of previous native shoulder joint infections. Although both groups significantly improved from preoperative to postoperative values, the outcome of postinfectious patients was clearly inferior in comparison with the control group (absolute [38 ± 17 vs. 75 ± 8, P < .01], relative Constant score [47 ± 19 vs. 88 ± 9, P < .01], Constant pain score [11.0 ± 3.1 vs. 14.3 ± 1.3, P < .01], subjective shoulder value [43 ± 26 vs. 85 ± 10, P < .01], abduction [70 ± 43 vs. 148 ± 29°, P = .001], and elevation [82 ± 49° to 131 ± 16°, P = .02]). Moreover, in the postinfectious group, overall surgical complications occurred in 36%, with the need for revision in 21%. There was, however, no recurrence of infection in any of the patients' shoulders. CONCLUSION: RTSA for end-stage postinfectious joint disease is associated with a high number of complications and reoperations. Clinical outcomes are inferior to those without past infection.