Clinical implications of scapular notching at 2 and 5-year follow-up after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Objective: Scapular notching is a unique radiographic sequela of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) with unclear long-term clinical consequences.

Methods: Our retrospective review of a single surgeon, single implant, primary rTSA database investigates the incidence of scapular notching at 2 and 5-year follow-up. Various patient outcome scores were also obtained.

Results: Of 158 primary rTSAs performed, 82 (52%) patients completed 2-year and subsequent 5-year follow-up. The incidence of scapular notching at 2 and 5-years was 11.9% and 19.5%, respectively.

Conclusion: Scapular notching negatively affects validated post-operative outcome scores, active range of motion and total complications, and furthermore increases with time.