Arthrodesis of the shoulder after septic arthritis: Long-term results
We analysed the long-term results of arthrodesis of the shoulder after infection in 15 patients. At the time of operation, 14 cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The mean follow-up was 8.3 years (3 to 14) and 90% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. There were complications...
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Published in | Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 85; no. 5; pp. 666 - 670 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
01.07.2003
British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery |
Edition | British volume |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | We analysed the long-term results of arthrodesis of the shoulder after infection in 15 patients. At the time of operation, 14 cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The mean follow-up was 8.3 years (3 to 14) and 90% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. There were complications in five patients (33%); in three there was nonunion with loosening of the implant. One patient had a sound bony union but with a persistent sinus six years after arthrodesis and another had a sinus which healed after the metal was removed. Four of these five patients (80%) were heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day). Cancellous bone grafting did not affect the incidence of complications. The mean age of the patients with complications was 58.6 v 48.6 years for those without (p = 0.2808; not significant). Those with complications had had more previous operations (6.4 v 2.5, p < 0.05). Antibiotics, as determined by the bacteriological cultures, were administered for six weeks. The complication rate was higher in patients with active sepsis but the younger the patient and the fewer number of previous operations (< 50 years, < four previous operations), the better was the outcome. Considering the rate of complications, we recommend early surgery in these patients. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0301-620X 2049-4394 2044-5377 2049-4408 |
DOI: | 10.1302/0301-620X.85B5.13915 |