8 YEAR EXPERIENCE OF THE AEQUALIS TOTAL SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY IN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Aim: A prospective study to quantify the functional outcome of the Aequalis Shoulder Arthroplasty in our local population.

Method: 110 Aequalis shoulder arthroplasties have been performed in 99 patients by a single surgeon in a district general hospital. Rheumatoid arthritis was the indication in 61 shoulders, Osteoarthritis in 26 and 23 for other indications. There were 78 females and 32 males.

Patients were assessed using the Constant-Murley (CM) Score, the corrected Constant-Murley (CM) Score and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) function score pre and post-operatively. Pain was measured on a reverse Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a range of movement was clinically assessed. All these parameters including standard radiographs were regularly assessed during the follow up period.

Results: Mean length of follow up is 2.29 years (range 6 months to 8 years). 27/110 (24.55%) had a Glenoid replacement.

There have been steady and significant improvements in all parameters over the follow up period. Improvements have been sustained and continue to increase the longer the prosthesis has been in situ. The pain score is measured on a reverse analogue score, which accounts for the increasing scores. There have been 2 cases complicated by deep infection requiring revision and 2 cases of peri-prosthetic fracture.

Conclusion: The Aequalis shoulder prosthesis gives good, reliable results which are reproducable outside specialised centres.