FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AFTER GLENOHUMERAL ARTHRODESIS FOR TOTAL AND PARTIAL PLEXUS BRACHIAL PARALYSIS IN ADULTS

Purpose: Functional outcome after shoulder arthrodesis was evaluated to assess indications for the treatment of posttraumatic partial and total brachial plexus paralysis in adults.Material and methods: Twenty-seven patients who underwent glenohumeral arthrodesis for posttraumatic brachial plexus paralysis were reviewed. Eleven had radicular paralysis (C5, C6 and C5, C6, C7) and sixteen total paralysis. All patients recovered active elbow flexion. Shoulder reinnervation had failed in eleven patients. Before the arthrodesis, 22 patients could no use their paralysed limb. Mean time between direct neurological surgery and arthrodesis was 30 months for partial paralyses and 20 months for total paralyses. Glenohumeal screw fixation was used for the arthrodesis which was associated with an external fixation in 21.Results: Mean postoperative follow-up was 70 months. There were two cases of non-union which fused after revision and three cases of humerus fracture which occurred during the first six months after sur...