O1047 REPLACEMENT ARTHROPLASTY IN THE WEIGHT-BEARING SHOULDER OF PARAPLEGIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Aims: To review the early results of shoulder arthroplasty in the weight bearing shoulder of long term pareplegic patients. We have been unable to find previously published results of this subgroup of shoulder arthroplasty patients in the litterature. Method: The case notes and X-rays of 5 female patients who had undergone shoulder arthroplasty were analysed. These patients all had longstanding paraplegia and were wheelchair bound. All patients has been prospectively scored with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon’s (ASES) function score and the Constant score. Results: The patients had a mean age of 70 yrs (61–88) at the time of surgery. Three of the 5 shoulders and rotator cuff tears at the time of surgery, 2 of which were repaired. The results are summarised in the table. There was no radiological evidence of failure apart from the migration of the single cemented glenoid component. Conclusion: In view of the satisfactory improvement in pain in particular following these procedures, we feel that it is reasonable to continue to offer this procedure in this subgroup of patients. We will however remain vigilant with regard to any further complications arising because of the increased loading in these prostheses at the medium and long term.