OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results achieved with partial arthroplasty of the shoulder to treat arthropathy due to rotator cuff lesion. METHODS: From June 1989 to March 2004, 11 shoulders of 11 patients were submitted to partial arthroplasty of the shoulder to treat an arthropathy due to rotator cuff lesion. Follow-up time varied from 27 to 182 months, with a mean of 69 months. Mean age was 69.1 years, ranging from 44 to 78 years. There was a predominance of the female gender, in 90.9% of the cases (10 patients). The dominant member was involved in 10 patients. The methods chosen to evaluate the patients in follow-up were based on UCLA criteria; on patient satisfaction indices regarding pain relief; and on limited objective evaluation method proposed by Neer et al. RESULTS: The patient satisfaction index regarding pain relief was 81.8%. With the UCLA evaluation method, the authors observed a mean score of 22.7 points. With the limited objective evaluation method proposed by Neer et al, they had six patients with satisfactory results and five with unsatisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Partial arthroplasty of the shoulder to treat an arthropathy due to rotator cuff lesion brings pain relief and allows for some improvement in limb function for daily activities, however, the technique has high indices of unsatisfactory results.
Shoulder; Arthroplasty; Joint diseases; Rotator cuff
