TITLE:
Five-Year Outcomes of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in a Malaysian Tertiary Public Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study
AUTHORS:
Raeross Anak Jabul, Faris Bin Kamaruddin, Ankimtay Anak Rutel
KEYWORDS:
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty, Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy, Functional Outcome, Constant-Murley Score, Scapular Notching, Long-Term Follow-Up
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
14,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has become the standard of care for a variety of complex shoulder pathologies, particularly in patients with rotator cuff tear arthropathy, post-traumatic arthritis, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis with cuff deficiency. While international studies report excellent mid- and long-term results, data from Southeast Asian populations remain scarce. This study evaluates five-year clinical and radiological outcomes of RTSA performed in a tertiary public hospital in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included eight patients who underwent primary RTSA between January 2018 and December 2019 at Hospital Umum Sarawak. All procedures were performed using the Comprehensive® Reverse Shoulder System (Zimmer Biomet) through a deltopectoral approach. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Patient Satisfaction Score (PSS). Radiological evaluation included assessment for scapular notching, implant loosening, and other complications. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test with significance set at p Results: All patients completed a minimum five-year follow-up. The mean CMS improved significantly from 8.3 (range 3 - 15) preoperatively to 90.8 (range 85 - 95) postoperatively (p Conclusion: RTSA offers durable, high-functioning outcomes at five years in a Malaysian tertiary care setting, with excellent pain relief, restoration of mobility, and high patient satisfaction. These results are consistent with international Level I evidence and support the broader application of RTSA in appropriately selected patients in Southeast Asia. While these findings are encouraging, the small sample size (n = 8) limits broad generalizability, and larger studies are warranted.