Definitive Treatment of Infected Shoulder Arthroplasty With a Cement Spacer

Infection in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty can result in significant pain, loss of function, and the need for additional surgery. As the use of shoulder arthroplasty increases, the medical and economic burdens of periprosthetic joint infection increase as well. The ideal management of infected shoulder prostheses has not been established. This report describes 9 patients from a single institution who had an infected shoulder arthroplasty that was definitively managed with a cement spacer. All patients had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Of the 9 patients in this study, 6 were men. Mean age was 73 +/- 9 years. Of the study patients, 1 had diabetes, 2 presented with Parkinson's disease, and 5 had a history of tobacco use. Average body mass index was 27.9 +/- 7 kg/m(2). After mean follow-up of 4 years, none of the patients had clinical or radiographic evidence of infection. Functional outcomes, as measured by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, were good or fair in 89% of patients, and the average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 57. A review of recent literature suggested that the current findings were similar to those in studies reporting 1- or 2- stage revision procedures. Although cement spacers are typically used as part of a 2-stage revision procedure, the current findings suggest that cement spacers can be used effectively to eradicate infection and allow for acceptable functional recovery and range of motion in patients who have severe medical comorbidities and cannot tolerate additional surgery.