Concomitant latissimus dorsi tendon transfer during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty does not improve active external rotation or clinical outcomes in patients with external rotation deficit.

BACKGROUND

To assess the role of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDT) concomitant with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with external rotation (ER) deficit secondary to severe rotator cuff deficiency with and without glenohumeral arthritis.

METHODS

Patients with a positive external lag sign and <10° of active external rotation (aER) treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty at a single institution with a minimum 12-month follow-up were retrospectively identified from a prospective database. Basic demographic information along with preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) measures, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain, and Subjective Shoulder Value scores were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed to compare ROM and functional outcomes between patients who underwent concomitant LDT and those with no transfer (NT).

RESULTS

The LDT (n = 31) and NT (n = 33) groups had similar age, sex distributions, and follow-up length average (24 vs. 30 months). No differences were found between groups at baseline, final follow-up, or magnitude of change for ASES, VAS pain, and Subjective Shoulder Value scores. Baseline ROM measures were similar, except for the LDT group having slightly less aER (-8° vs. 0°; P = .004). In addition, all postoperative ROM measures including aER were similar, except for a slight improvement in active internal rotation in the NT group. The majority of patients were satisfied with their outcome (LDT 84% (n = 26); NT 87% (n = 27); P = .72).

CONCLUSION

Patients with ER deficit secondary to severe rotator cuff deficiency with and without glenohumeral arthritis undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty do not have significantly improved ER or patient-reported outcome measures with LDT.