Arthroscopic management of glenohumeral arthritis in the young patient does not negatively impact the outcome of subsequent anatomic shoulder arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of prior arthroscopic management of glenohumeral arthritis in the young patient on results of subsequent anatomic shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS: Forty-three patients that had a total shoulder or ream-and-run arthroplasty with a history of arthroscopic management were matched to 86 patients without prior surgery. Each case was matched to two cases without prior arthroscopic surgery with similar age, sex, Walch classification, and type of arthroplasty.

RESULTS: Forty-three patients with a history of arthroscopic management were matched to 86 patients without prior surgery. The mean two year SST scores (10.3 vs. 9.9, p = 0.334), % MPI (75.4 vs. 73.0%, p = 0.687), two year SANE scores (79.6 vs. 79.8, p = 0.953), and % of patients to exceed SST score MCID (89 vs. 91%, p = 0.860) and SANE score MCID (86 vs. 75%, p = 0.180) were statistically similar in patients with prior arthroscopic debridement compared with those without prior arthroscopic debridement. The rate of MUA (9 vs. 6%, p = 0.480) and open revision (9 vs. 8%, p = 1.000) were statistically similar between groups.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic management of glenohumeral arthritis in patients aged 65 years and younger prior to anatomic shoulder arthroplasty was not associated with inferior outcomes for either total shoulder arthroplasty or ream-and-run arthroplasty.