Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Short-Stem Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has become increasingly common in recent years due to expanding indications and improved surgical techniques. Short-stem humeral implants have gained attention because they preserve bone stock, allow metaphyseal fixation, and facilitate potential revision procedures.

The aim of this study is to evaluate radiographic and clinical outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a short humeral stem after a minimum follow-up of two years. Patients who underwent RTSA at the Department of Orthopedics at Ordensklinikum Linz will be invited for clinical and radiographic follow-up.

Clinical outcomes will be assessed using established shoulder scores including the Constant Score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST). Radiographic evaluation will focus on humeral-sided changes such as stress shielding, radiolucent lines, osteolysis, and fractures. Patient satisfaction will additionally be assessed using visual analogue scales and patient-reported outcome measures.

Demographic variables, comorbidities, and implant-related characteristics will be collected to allow descriptive evaluation of factors potentially associated with clinical and radiographic outcomes.