Shoulder fusion in two patients with a long-standing proximal humerus resection

With a "headless" humerus active abduction and elevation of the arm are hardly possible. Especially if the humeral head was removed because of an infection, shoulder fusion is often the only safe solution for this disabling condition. Large corticocancellous, autologous bone grafts are interposed between the thin humeral stump on one side and its broad glenoid-acromion counterpart on the other. A 4.5 narrow AO-plate stabilizes the fusion. The technique is described and the functional result of two patients is shown. Ten years after the operation, both patients were free of pain and very satisfied about the utility of the arm. The fusion had convincingly healed in the planned position. Shoulder fusion proved to be a safe and good solution for both our patients with a longstanding headless humerus. Ten years after the operation they were free of pain and had regained a useful arm.