Long-term outcome of shoulder arthrodesis performed with plate fixation: 18 patients examined after 3-15 years.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There have been few reports on the long-term function after shoulder arthrodesis. We report the outcome after shoulder arthrodesis with plate fixation in 18 patients who were followed for 3-15 years.

METHODS

25 patients with a median age of 64 (19-75) years were operated with a shoulder arthrodesis between 1982 and 2003. Standard AO surgical technique with plating was used in all patients. 18 of the patients were examined retrospectively after a mean of 8 (3-15) years. 6 of the other patients had died and 1 refused examination.

RESULTS

Radiologically, all but two arthrodeses fused completely. The remaining two were partially fused, within the glenohumeral joint or between humerus and acromion. The mean Oxford shoulder score was 32 and the mean ASES shoulder index was 59. Nine patients had intermittent or continuous pain; their mean pain score on a visual analog scale was 3. One patient had been re-operated after 4 months because of severe pain and 1 was operated due to a humeral shaft fracture after 8 months. 1 patient suffered from a complex regional pain syndrome. No infections occurred.

INTERPRETATION: In this patient series there were few complications after shoulder arthrodesis, and the longterm functional results were acceptable.