Arthroplasty of the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis with rotator cuff dysfunction.

We carried out a retrospective analysis of 17 total shoulder replacements using the reversed Delta III prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the glenohumeral joint complicated by rotator cuff dysfunction. Outcome was assessed using the Constant-Murley scoring system. In addition, general health status was assessed with the Short Form Health Survey and radiographical analysis of the prostheses undertaken. Mean age at the time of surgery was 64 years. Thirteen shoulders were followed up for more than 5 years (mean 87 months). Median Constant-Murley score was 59.0; median scores for general health were 33.40 and 49.36 for the physical and mental components respectively. Radiographical analysis revealed evidence of lucencies about the humeral component in all cases and about the glenoid component in five cases. Despite the good clinical results, the high incidence of radiographical lucencies is of concern.