To compare the clinical outcomes and complications of hemiarthroplasty (HHR) and total shoulder arthroplasty (TSR) in non-traumatic arthritis patients.

Thirty-two patients (34 shoulders) underwent shoulder arthroplasty for nontraumatic shoulder arthropathy. There were sixteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis, nine with osteoarthritis, four with avascular necrosis and etc. HHR was performed in eleven shoulders and TSR in twentythree shoulders.

In HHR, the pain score decreased from preoperatively 7.09 to 0.91 postoperatively. The mean forward elevation was 137° and the mean external rotation at the side and abduction were 55° and 131°, respectively. The mean ASES score was 82.4. In TSR, the pain score decreased from 7.04 preoperatively to 1.17 postoperatively. The mean forward elevation, external rotation at the side and abduction were 132°, 44°, and 132°, respectively. The mean ASES score was 81.2. In rheumatoid arthritis, the mean ASES score of the HHR and TSR were 77.8 and 78.1, respectively. In osteoarthritis, the mean ASES score was 84.7 and 90.8, respectively. During the follow up, glenoid erosion was observed in three HHR cases, and glenoid loosening in two TSR case.

HHR and TSR produced similar results in terms of the functional improvement. The clinical results were much better in patients with osteoarthritis than in those with rheumatoid arthritis, and TSR was performed on most cases of rheumatoid arthritis.