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Published on: June 13, 2025
Anatomical shoulder arthroplasty in epileptic patients with instability arthropathy and persistent seizures
Tanujan Thangarajah1, Mark Falworth1, Simon M Lambert1
1The Shoulder and Elbow Service, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK.
Purpose:
Epileptic seizures can cause shoulder dislocation, recurrent instability and eventually arthritis. The purpose of this study was to report the results, complications and rate of revision surgery following anatomical shoulder arthroplasty in epileptic patients with instability arthropathy.
Methods:
A consecutive series of eight patients with epilepsy underwent anatomical shoulder arthroplasty for recurrent shoulder instability and were retrospectively reviewed after a mean of 4.7 years (range, 2-7.5 years). These included three total shoulder replacements and five humeral resurfacing hemiarthroplasty procedures.
Results:
Mean age of the cohort was 33 years (range, 17-44). All patients experienced post-operative grand mal seizures. Two patients with hemiarthroplasty required further surgery due to painful glenoid erosion. No residual cases of instability were noted. Mean active forward elevation and external rotation improved following surgery. The Oxford Shoulder Score improved from 15 pre-operatively (range, 7-22) to 26 post-operatively (range, 12-45) ( p = 0.031). This was accompanied by an increase in the mean Subjective Shoulder Value, which improved from 29 (range, 10-80) pre-operatively to 53 (range, 15-90) post-operatively ( p=0.042).
Conclusions:
Anatomical shoulder arthroplasty may offer a solution for the treatment of instability arthropathy in patients with epilepsy and persistent seizures.
