Shoulder arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rheumatology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects the shoulder joint, causing pain and functional limitation.
• Surgical intervention, specifically shoulder arthroplasty, is becoming more prevalent for managing severe rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the indications, surgical procedures, and postoperative management of shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• To discuss different types of shoulder replacement surgeries available for rheumatoid arthritis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current surgical techniques for shoulder arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.
• Discussion of patient selection criteria and post-operative care protocols.

Main Results:

• Shoulder arthroplasty aims to alleviate pain and restore a functional range of motion in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• Various arthroplasty options exist, including true total shoulder replacement and humeral head replacement, with or without polyethylene spacers.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder replacement is an effective option for managing rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on pain relief and functional improvement.
• Careful patient selection and management are crucial for successful outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis shoulder arthroplasty.