Inlay total shoulder arthroplasty in the weight-bearing shoulder of wheelchair-bound patients with paraplegia. A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Paraplegic patients' activities of daily living (ADLs) involve the use of manual wheelchairs that increase the stress on the shoulder joint. Patients with advanced glenohumeral changes are often resistant to conservative measures and may require surgical interventions. The longevity of a Total Shoulder Arthroplasty is largely unknown in paraplegics due to a lack of studies investigating outcomes in these patients.

CASE PRESENTATION

We examined the outcome of two paraplegic patients following inlay total shoulder arthroplasty (iTSA) with a non-spherical humeral head and glenoid inlay replacement.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Two patients with paraplegia and advanced degenerative joint disease who underwent iTSA were seen at regular follow-up intervals to assess range of motion, strength, and patient-reported outcome measures. Radiographic imaging was utilized to monitor slipping, lateralization, and degradation of the joint space.

CONCLUSION

Both patients have shown significant increases in strength, ROM, and PROMs. iTSA proved efficacious in paraplegic patients utilizing a manual wheelchair.