Glenohumeral arthrodesis outcomes and complications: a systematic review

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the evidence in the literature to determine the clinical outcomes following glenohumeral arthrodesis. Methods: Two independent reviewers performed a literature search in the PubMed database based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta -analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they reported on outcomes following shoulder arthrodesis from the years of 2000-2022. Functional outcomes that were collected included the Subjective Shoulder Value, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index score, visual analog scale pain score, and Oxford Shoulder Score. Range -of -motion data were also collected. Results: This review included 17 studies, with a total of 316 patients, that met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the patients were male (67.4%), and the average age was 38.4 years (range, 7-82 years). The overall fusion rate was 88.7%, and the time to fusion was on average, 3.9 months (range, 2-8 months). Shoulder arthrodesis resulted in improvement in each of the functional outcomes assessed: Subjective Shoulder Value (preoperatively, 18.8; postoperatively, 43.9; and percent change, 132.8%), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder index score (postoperatively, 62.1), visual analog scale pain score (preoperatively, 8.5; postoperatively, 3.03; and percent change, 62.4%), and Oxford Shoulder Score (preoperatively, 9.4; postoperatively, 30.9; and percent change, 328.7%). The abduction, forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation range -of -motion measurements postoperatively were 57 degrees , 64 degrees , 3 degrees , and 48 degrees , respectively. Complications were reported in 33.6% of patients, with fractures (20.9%) and infections (18.6%) being the most common sources of complication. Conclusion: Shoulder arthrodesis provides improvement in functional outcomes for end -stage glenohumeral injuries; however, it is also associated with high rates of complications. Level of evidence: Level IV; Systematic Review (c) 2023 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. All rights reserved.