Acromial Stress Fractures: A Systematic Review

Document Type : SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Authors

1 Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University and The Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Abstract

Background: Acromial stress fracture (ASF) is a unique complication of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) that
can have substantial influence on clinical results. The purpose of this review is to describe demographics, functional
outcomes, and union rates for cases of RSA complicated by ASF.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-
Analyses (PRISMA) methodology to identify studies that reported results of RSA complicated by ASF. Searches were
performed using PubMed and Scopus up to January 1, 2018. Five articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: ASF occurred in 61 (6.9%) of 874 RSA cases identified. 82% of patients who sustained an ASF were female.
ASF cases were, on average, 7 years older than cases that were not complicated by ASF. While improved compared to
their preoperative state, patients who sustained an ASF demonstrated significantly less improvement in pain, function,
and ROM compared to RSA patients without ASF.
Conclusion: Women and older patients appear to be at greater risk for an ASF after RSA. Though nonunion rates are
high, fair outcomes can still be achieved in cases of ASF after RSA. Further study is needed to identify modifiable and
non-modifiable risk factors associated with the development of ASF.
Level of evidence: IV

Keywords

Main Subjects

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 7, Issue 5
September 2019
Pages 397-401

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 December 2018
  • Accept Date: 07 March 2019

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