United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anyone's doctor suggested they get their shoulder fused? I have elbow flexion but no other function and my dr. suggested I get my shoulder fused. Not sure what to do? Has anyone had this done and if so are you happy you did?

I'm waiting to get my shoulder fused aswell, I have no movement in my arm atall, but when I go out running it is sore as hell so it will just make it a bit more comfy for me. hope everything goes well for you.

Hi,

It is a procedure I keep "on hold" for now although it has been more than 5 years since the accident.

It is quite a unhappy procedure but can be a solution if you have no alternatives left, but you have to realize that it is irreversible!

Best regards,

Geert

I have head of it to and its been sujusted to me by more than one doctor. I am still looking for other idias. Paul

Hi. I have been waiting for over 6 years to have my shoulder fused! I was born with a dislocated shoulder, had it repaired with a Putti-Platt in "86, started working as a CNA in 1990. I was cleared by the whole Ortho team to work. Caught a falling patient on 4/1/91, and been in agony since. I have had 5 stabilizations, Bankharts, etc... a staph infection, and have been waiting for Workers comp to okay fusion for over 6 years. With the work injury, I tore the rotator cuff, subscapularis, superspinatis tendon, long head of the bicep, and broke the glenhoid rim. I am finally having fusion on 6/6/02! and I can't wait! For me, this is the only option left, and I am ready!

hi,
just popped in from the obpi board (im 29 robpi).
i had my shoulder fused with plates and screws 2 years ago. i would think very carefully about having this done... its a big op. (i was 5 hours in surgery and 3 hours in recovery)
since having this done i have better all round movement of the arm and shoulder but im in 5 times as much pain as i was before the op.

my scar is about 12 inches long and where my shoulder used to be is just a huge dent (all the muscles have wasted away)
the success rate of the op. is quite low, so unless it is a last resort (it was for me),i for one certainly wouldnt reccomend it
sorry to sound so gloomy....but you did ask! lol

take care and good luck if you decide to go ahead
janny

I had shoulder fused (tbpi 99 no movements) 2 years ago. With 3 screws, think that was well done.
Until now have no problems, only benefits.

Best to all
Paulo G.
www.geocities.com/paulo_go

Hi Janny,

You say the success rate is quite low , but i thought fusion was to immobalise the joint ( with pins etc ) so i thought the success rate would have been very high in so fact as the shoulder is fused ? In what way can this opp go wrong ?

Sorry if iv missunderstood

karl

hi karlos,
i have 2 plates and 5 screws but my shoulder is not completely immobile, there is movement but it is restricted .i was put in a large metal brace after the op. which held my arm at a 45 degree angle for 4 months...therefore giving me 45 degrees of movement afterwards.
the pain factor is the big thing though...most patients find themselves in a heap more pain after the op. than they were before.

there are loads of internet sites dedicated to shoulder fusion (sorry i dont know any offhand). i certainly found them very helpful when i had my shoulder done... just type a search for shoulder fusion.

you must also bear in mind though, that my shoulder had been dislocated at birth, never reset, then i had the fusion done 27 years later!

hope this clears things up a bit for you

take care
janny