Hemiarthroplasty for the rheumatoid shoulder joint.

Hemiarthroplasty was performed in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder joint. A humeral head prosthesis was inserted to replace the articular surface of the humeral head in 12 shoulders. Marked relief of pain and improved function in long term follow-up examinations were noted in the majority of the patients. The indication for shoulder hemiarthroplasty is severe pain and chronic rheumatoid disease.