Outcomes are poor after treatment of sepsis in the rheumatoid shoulder.

Currently, there is little information regarding treatment of shoulder sepsis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study examines the prognosis and outcome after operative treatment of native shoulder infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Seventeen patients were retrospectively reviewed (20 shoulders) after surgical intervention for shoulder sepsis between 1982 and 2002. Nine patients (12 shoulders) were associated with multiple joint infections. The most common isolated organism from cultures was Staphylococcus aureus in 15 shoulders. Three patients died during initial admission to the hospital (at 7 days, 5 months, and 6 months) because of multisystem organ failure and multiple joint infections. Fourteen patients (15 shoulders) survived for followup, with two excellent, six satisfactory, and seven unsatisfactory results. Mean active elevation was 100 degrees. Further surgery was required in three patients: one synovectomy and two shoulder arthrodeses. In this study, patients with shoulder sepsis with rheumatoid arthritis were found to have a high rate of multiple joint sepsis and unsatisfactory shoulder function.