[Treatment of septic arthritis of the shoulder and periprosthetic shoulder infections. Special problems in rheumatoid arthritis].

Infections of the shoulder joint are rare but nevertheless carry a high risk of complications. Successful therapy is mostly operative and should be planned according to the causes, stage, and expansion of the infection and the expected spectrum of bacteria. Moreover, the patient's general condition and previous illnesses must be considered. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and immunotherapy are especially at risk for complications and require special attention. Shoulder infections and periprosthetic infections can be treated with arthroscopy, with open debridement, or, in the case of periprosthetic infections, with one- or two-stage exchange procedures. In cases of noncontrollable infections, resection arthroplasty or arthrodesis can be performed as a last resort. Results and possible complications are described herein, including those based on our own results.