Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), a significant therapy for acute fractures showed minor complication rates; as suggested by a recent report in the Injury, an International Journal of the Care of the Injured. In previous reports, RSA for proximal humeral fractures led to significant outcomes but with considerable complication rates.

This analysis involved the assessment of RSA complication rates, as well as evaluation of ASA score and basic disease history association among patients, went through RSA from 2010 to 2016. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification, the transfusion rate, and past disease and anticoagulant therapy were evaluated to compare these factors with minor and major postoperative complications at 7, 90 and 365 days.

A total of 103 participants were selected. The overall rate of complications noticed was 25%, with 7.6% major and 17.4% minor complications. At the first week, a statistically significant association between a higher ASA score and major complication at 90 days and a trend towards a higher ASA score with a minor complication was noticed. Major complications significantly increased at 90 days due to rheumatoid disease. Transfusion rate found to be 11.5%.

Fewer complication rates were noticed with RSA within older patients; however, the presence of rheumatoid disease, patient's history, as well as their ASA score, should be taken into consideration.