title: Shoulder arthroplasty after glenohumeral fusion.
abstract: We present a case of conversion of a glenohumeral fusion to an arthroplasty. Chronic pain in the scapulo-thoracic joint after shoulder arthrodesis, in the presence of a functional deltoid muscle, was judged to be the indication for conversion to a prosthesis. A deeply reamed glenoid fossa stabilized the prosthetic head. A glenoid component was not used. Pain relief was dramatic and permanent. Function was poor. Subjectively the patient was greatly improved. This solution is considered a salvage procedure for the rare instances of resistant, chronic pain originating in the scapulo-thoracic joint after glenohumeral fusion.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Berne.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hertel
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Ballmer