Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Short-Stem Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty (STEP2yrs)

Humeral-Sided Radiographic Changes and Clinical Outcome After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty With Short Stem - Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has become increasingly common in recent years due to expanding indications and improved surgical techniques. Short-stem humeral implants have gained attention because they preserve bone stock, allow metaphyseal fixation, and facilitate potential revision procedures.

The aim of this study is to evaluate radiographic and clinical outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a short humeral stem after a minimum follow-up of two years. Patients who underwent RTSA at the Department of Orthopedics at Ordensklinikum Linz will be invited for clinical and radiographic follow-up.

Clinical outcomes will be assessed using established shoulder scores including the Constant Score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST). Radiographic evaluation will focus on humeral-sided changes such as stress shielding, radiolucent lines, osteolysis, and fractures. Patient satisfaction will additionally be assessed using visual analogue scales and patient-reported outcome measures.

Demographic variables, comorbidities, and implant-related characteristics will be collected to allow descriptive evaluation of factors potentially associated with clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Shoulder Arthroplasty; Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis; Shoulder Joint Disease

Detailed Description

Retrospective with prospective follow-up

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Linz, Austria, 3340
    • Ordensklinikum Linz - Barmherzige Schwester

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with a short humeral stem at the Department of Orthopedics, Ordensklinikum Linz, Austria. All eligible patients who received this procedure at least two years prior to enrollment will be invited for a clinical and radiographic follow-up examination.

Participants are identified through institutional medical records and include both male and female patients. Only patients who provide written informed consent will be included in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Reverse shoulder arthroplasty with short humeral stem
• Surgery performed at Ordensklinikum Linz
• Minimum postoperative follow-up of 2 years
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Perioperative complications not related to the surgical procedure
• Lack of consent for study participation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Radiographic Changes of the Humeral Component	Assessment of humeral-sided radiographic changes including: Stress shielding Radiolucent lines Osteolysis Periprosthetic fractures Measured using standardized radiographs at follow-up.	≥2 years postoperatively

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Constant-Murley Score (Constant Score)	The Constant Score is a comprehensive shoulder function assessment. The total score ranges from 0 to 100 points. Higher scores indicate better shoulder performance and function; lower scores indicate greater functional impairment and symptoms.	up to 3 years postoperatively
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES)	The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score is used to assess shoulder pain and function. The total score ranges from 0 to 100 points. Higher scores indicate better shoulder function, less pain, and fewer activity limitations; lower scores indicate greater pain, impaired shoulder function, and increased disability.	up to 3 years postoperatively
Simple Shoulder Test Score (SST)	Shoulder function will be assessed using the Simple Shoulder Test. The total score ranges from 0 to 12 points. Higher scores indicate better shoulder function.	up to 3 Years Postoperatively
Return to Sport Rate (RTS)	Return to sport will be assessed as the proportion or percentage of patients who returned to sport participation after surgery. Higher percentages indicate a better outcome, reflecting a greater rate of successful return to sport.	up to 3 years postoperatively

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Krankenhaus Barmherzige Schwestern Linz

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 10, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 10, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 1035/2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED