The treatment of arthritis of the shoulder joint by double osteotomy.

This paper presents the new operations of double osteotomy of the shoulder for the treatment of painful arthritis. The procedure consists of osteotomy without displacement of the necks of both the scapula and the humerus. Sixteen patients who have had this operation have been followed for one to nine years (average 2 years 11 months). The results show good or excellent pain relief in 13 patients and a substantial increase in active abduction in 13 patients. Complications were few and none were serious. A possible reason for the reduction of pain is suggested and the advantages of this operation over arthrodesis and total shoulder replacement are discussed.