Aims The indications for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) have expanded beyond the primary design philosophy of an implant used to deal with rotator cuff deficiency. Its application in the cuff intact shoulder is growing in clinical practice. Despite this, there is little understanding of how surgeons decide between implants, specifically RSA and total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in this clinical scenario. Methods Trauma however, specific cut-offs for determining implants were not universal. Other themes identified included revision profiles of the implants, functional outcomes, and surgical training and experience. Conclusion The decision-making between RSA and TSA for osteoarthritis and cuff intact patients is complex and multifactorial. The main factors surgeons consider are physiological age, patient anatomy, and functional outcomes. Within these factors however, there is no uniform agreement on which implant is best for which patients. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2026;7(3):433–441.
O'Malley et al. (Wed,) studied this question.