POSTTRAUMATIC ARTHRODESES OF THE SHOULDER - INDICATIONS, TECHNIQUE, RESULTS

Shoulder arthrodesis definitely results in a restricted range of motio n. However, in patients with a painful restricted motion after glenohu meral empyema or arthritis reduction of pain and an improved range of motion in the thoracoscapular joint are achieved with arthrodesis. Gle nohumeral arthrodesis is also indicated for the management of paralysi s of the upper plexus brachialis and the total dysfunction of the rota tor cuff if multidirectional stability is present. From 1978 to 1991 s houlder fusion was performed in ten patients in our institute. The mea n age of the seven male and three female patients was 49 years. In six cases arthrodesis was necessary because of shoulder infections after internal fixation of humeral head fractures; three were performed beca use of posttraumatic arthritis and two, because of complete plexus les ions. The followup an average of just over 3 years after arthrodesis r evealed acceptable function according to the Neer and Hawkins score. A ll patients but one reported a significant improvement of function and pain relief after arthrodesis.