Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jun;131(8):1696-1701.
doi: 10.1002/jso.28117. Epub 2025 Mar 28.

Long-Term Functional Outcomes of Glenohumeral Arthrodesis Following Oncologic Resection

Marisa N Ulrich  1 , Samuel E Broida  1 , Maurizio Scorianz  2 , Steven L Moran  1   3 , Allen T Bishop  1 , Matthew T Houdek  1
Affiliations

Long-Term Functional Outcomes of Glenohumeral Arthrodesis Following Oncologic Resection

Marisa N Ulrich et al. J Surg Oncol. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Glenohumeral arthrodesis is a demanding surgical procedure. However, it is an option for reconstruction an oncologic resection, especially for patients in whom the axillary nerve is compromised.

Methods: We reviewed 26 (12 male:14 female) glenohumeral arthrodeses (14 primary:12 revision) following an oncologic resection. The most common method of reconstruction was a free vascularized fibula autograft with a bulk allograft (n = 18). The median follow-up was 22 years (IQR 19 years).

Results: Median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scores and Toronto Extremity Salvage Scores at final follow-up were 86% and 80%. MSTS scores were similar in patients receiving arthrodesis for primary versus secondary reconstruction. Fifteen (58%) patients had postoperative complications requiring reoperation. Most reoperations occurred with-in the first 5 years postoperative, with two procedures occurring after 10-years. Three patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease, one of which also had a local recurrence.

Conclusion: Glenohumeral arthrodesis provides satisfactory long-term outcomes for primary and secondary management of shoulder girdle tumors. While early complication rates were high, long-term complications were rare.

Keywords: arthrodesis; reconstruction; sarcoma; shoulder.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. K. Adu‐Kwarteng, G. H. Cabell, E. T. Hurley, et al., “Glenohumeral Arthrodesis Outcomes and Complications: A Systematic Review,” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 33, no. 6 (2024): 1418–1424.
    1. I. Antal, G. Szőke, M. Szendrői, et al., “Functional Outcome and Quality of Life Following Resection of the Proximal Humerus Performed for Musculoskeletal Tumors and Reconstruction Done by Four Different Methods,” Musculoskeletal Surgery 107, no. 3 (2023): 351–359.
    1. S. S. Bilgin, “Reconstruction of Proximal Humeral Defects With Shoulder Arthrodesis Using Free Vascularized Fibular Graft,” Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 94, no. 13 (2012): e94.
    1. M. T. Houdek, M. H. Sullivan, S. E. Broida, et al., “Proximal Humerus Reconstruction for Bone Sarcomas: A Critical Analysis,” JBJS Reviews 12, no. 3 (2024): 00217.
    1. E. R. Wagner, R. McLaughlin, S. Sarfani, et al., “Long‐Term Outcomes of Glenohumeral Arthrodesis,” Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 100, no. 7 (2018): 598–604.

LinkOut - more resources