Shoulder Arthrodesis for Improvement of Improvement of Function of Upper Extremity

Yoo, Myung Chul; Chung, Duke Whan; Han, Jung Soo; Cho, Hwang Keon; Ahn, Jae Sung

Abstract

The shoulder fusion is one of the good method to relieve pain, improve the function and stabilize the flail shoulder joint. But recent advance of arthroplasty, the procedure is less popular. Authors studied and analized 23 patients who received shoulder arthrodesis from Aug. 1978 to Aug. 1986 and reported functional outcome after shoulder arthrodesis. Among twenty three patients, brachial plexus palsy were eighteen, upper extremity residual poliomyelitis in three and shoulder joint turberculosis in two respectively. Postoperative follow up was 12 months to 9 years and 6 months, average being 2 years and 6 months. It took 14.4 weeks in average for shoulder arthrodesis. The postoperative abduction fusion angle was 33.8 degrees in average(20 degrees to 50 degrees). The active abduction after shoulder fusion was mean 51.8 degrees(20 degrees to 85 degrees). The abduction fusion angle between 20 degrees and 40 degrees was presented satisfactory results in the point of pain relief, functional assessment and patients satisfaction. High abduction fusion angle(more than 40 degrees) revealed pain around the fused shoulder area. The combined extra and intraarticular arthrodesis revealed better results. The Saber-cut approach was more valuable for secondary elbow reconstruction than Henry approach.