Patient-reported Outcomes and Complication Rates in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis versus Cuff Tear Arthropathy

Introduction: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is an effective treatment for both glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) and cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). Despite increasing utilization, few comparative studies have explored the outcome differences between these conditions. This study compared preoperative characteristics, postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and complication rates between GHOA and CTA cohorts undergoing RTSA. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 186 patients undergoing RTSA for GHOA ( n = 103) or CTA ( n = 83) at a single institution from 2020 to 2025 was performed. The primary outcomes were change in general physical-function (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Physical Function [PROMIS-PF]) and shoulder-specific function (Oxford Shoulder Score [OSS]) from baseline to 6–12 months postoperatively. Univariate analyses were performed to compare patient characteristics, complications, and patient-reported outcomes between cohorts. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between cohort and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement. Results: The CTA cohort had more non-white patients and greater social vulnerability. While both groups experienced clinically significant postoperative improvements in physical function as measured by PROMIS-PF and OSS, the GHOA cohort maintained superior absolute PROMIS-PF and OSS scores at 6 and 12 months (both P < 0.05). The overall magnitude of improvement and rates of achieving MCID was comparable between the groups. Complication and 1-year revision rates were low and did not differ significantly. Conclusion: RTSA provides substantial improvements for both GHOA and CTA patients. However, GHOA patients present with better baseline function and achieve superior absolute postoperative outcomes. These distinct patient profiles underscore the need for indication-specific counseling to effectively manage patient expectations following RTSA.