Patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) are affected mostly by impaired shoulder function. Scapulothoracic arthrodesis
was introduced to improve shoulder function. We evaluated the outcomes of scapulothoracic arthrodesis using multifilament
cables, performed on 13 patients with FSHD (18 shoulders). There were eight males and five females (mean age, 29 years; range,
20–50 years). Outcome criteria were active shoulder forward flexion and abduction, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder,
and Hand (DASH) score, respiratory function tests, and a new shoulder function score. Patients were followed for a minimum
of 24 months (average, 35.5 months; range, 24–87 months). Solid fusion was obtained in all shoulders (two after revision);
active abduction range increased from 47.2° ± 11.6° to 102.2° ± 10.0° (mean ± standard deviation) and anterior flexion range
from 55.6° ± 16.1° to 126.1° ± 20.9°. The DASH score decreased from 33.6 ± 8.9 points preoperatively to 11.6 ± 8.0 points
postoperatively. Shoulder function score increased from 15.9 ± 2.4 points to 22.2 ± 1.3 points. Scapulothoracic arthrodesis
provides satisfactory function in patients with FSHD. Our data suggest use of multifilament cables for fixation is a reasonable
option with an acceptable complication rate.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest,
patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved or waived approval for the human protocol for this investigation,
that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.