BIPOLAR SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY FOR ROTATOR CUFF ARTHROPATHY

Between July 1997 and February 1995, 33 patients underwent bipolar sho ulder arthroplasty for painful rotator cuff arthropathy of the shoulde r. Twenty-two of these patients have been followed for an average of 2 8 months (range 24 to 48 months) and comprised the study group. All pa tients had massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears and presented with preserved passive motion, good deltoid function, and obliterated gleno humeral joint surfaces. Function and comfort were dramatically improve d in all patients, with an average increase in active forward elevatio n of 29 degrees and a gain in active external rotation of 39 degrees. There was one complication requiring reoperation at 4 years. Utilizing the UCLA and Swanson scoring systems, all patients were rated fair or better.