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I heard of someone having their shoulder fused - but why would someone do that? Why not replace the shoulder?

When a shoulder has deteriorated so badly that surgery is needed, a replacement is most often the preferred surgery. However, not everyone can have a shoulder replacement for a variety of reasons. If, for example, the bones aren't strong enough, the replacement can't be held in place.

Shoulder fusions are usually the last choice surgery. It is chosen because the surgeon feels that he or she doesn't have enough to work with to install a replacement.

Reference: 

Jason J. Scalise, MD, and Joseph P. Iannotti, MD, PhD. Glenohumeral Arthrodesis After Failed Prosthetic Shoulder Arthroplasty. In The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. January 2008. Vol. 90. No. 1. pp. 70-77.

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