Shoulder hemiarthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. 19 cases reexamined after 1-17 years.

We reexamined 19 shoulder hemiarthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after a mean of 8 (1-17) years. For the evaluation, we used the Constant and Murley score and routine radiographs. At the follow-up examination, 12 of the 19 shoulders showed little, if any, pain. In 7 shoulders the pain was moderate and no patient had severe pain. The range of motion was not improved. In 7/18 shoulders proximal subluxation of the head of the humeral prosthesis and in 9/15 shoulders, progression of the glenoid erosion were seen. The increase in glenoid erosion and the postoperative pain were not correlated. Hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder effectively relieves the pain in rheumatoid patients and this seems long-lasting.