The aim of the study was to analyze the results of the Bayley-Walker Fixed Fulcrum Total Shoulder Replacement done at our institution.

We present a retrospective study of 13 Bayley-Walker Total Shoulder Replacement (BWTSR) with a short follow-up of three to 38 months. Indications for the surgery included severe pain, and all the patients had a dysfunctional rotator cuff not considered to be amenable to surgical repair. Five patients had had previous failed rotator cuff repairs. One patient had a shoulder dislocation following a rotator cuff repair. Not all patients had glenohumeral arthritis. Five males and eight females were treated with BWTSR with a mean age of 66.5 years. Eight patients had left sided BWTSR and five patients had right shoulders replaced. A McKenzie approach was most commonly employed. Post-operatively in most cases early assisted active mobilisation was encouraged.

The Oxford shoulder assessment questionnaire was used in the postoperative subjective assessment. Constant functional assessment score improved on average from 24.3 preoperative to 64.5 postoperative. Complications include significant glenoid fracture during surgery in three patients. One patient had significant infection which responded to treatment, the joint survived and the patient has a good result. One patient had dislocation of the UHDPE liner due to faulty technique.

We conclude that BWTSR is a reliable procedure in a painful rotator cuff deficient shoulder. In suitable patients better results can be achieved than with non-constrained prostheses. The worst results of BWTSR are comparable to the poor results of unconstrained replacement.