Shoulder arthroplasty after glenohumeral fusion.

We present a case of conversion of a glenohumeral fusion to an arthroplasty. Chronic pain in the scapulo-thoracic joint after shoulder arthrodesis, in the presence of a functional deltoid muscle, was judged to be the indication for conversion to a prosthesis. A deeply reamed glenoid fossa stabilized the prosthetic head. A glenoid component was not used. Pain relief was dramatic and permanent. Function was poor. Subjectively the patient was greatly improved. This solution is considered a salvage procedure for the rare instances of resistant, chronic pain originating in the scapulo-thoracic joint after glenohumeral fusion.