Shoulder arthrodesis for paralysis and arthrosis

Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 35 years (11 males and 12 females) were reexamined 6 years after shoulder fusion. Indication for the operation was shoulder paralysis in 14 cases and arthrosis in 9. In 4 patients the operation had to be repeated because of nonunion. Eighteen patients had improved function, particularly in bringing the hand to the midline of the body, to the face, and to the side pocket. However, bringing the hand to the back and the anal region often deteriorated. One third of the patients, mainly those with arthrosis, had considerable shoulder pain at the follow-up.