Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear After Radial to Axillary End-to-Side Transfer: A Case Report

Abstract

Case: A 60-year-old man sustained a massive irreparable rotator cuff tear and axillary nerve palsy with deltoid dysfunction after an anterior shoulder dislocation. He underwent staged reverse end-to-side radial-to-axillary nerve transfer with return of deltoid function allowing for subsequent reverse shoulder arthroplasty. At 1 year postoperatively, he returned to full activity.

Conclusion: Irreparable rotator cuff tears complicated by axillary nerve palsy can be effectively treated with a staged approach of nerve transfer followed by reverse shoulder arthroplasty.