The case was a 29-year-old male who had experienced several episodes of atraumatic subluxation of his right shoulder. In March 1986, the right shoulder pain increased and he was admitted to our hospital on April 30, 1986. Debridement was performed on May 6, 1986. After the operation, he obtained relief of pain but suffered from 2 or 3 times subluxation of the right shoulder without trauma. Roentgenographic findings showed joint space narrowing and destructive change of the head and glenoid. Arthrographic findings showed severe synovitis. In July 1987, the pain increased and arthroscopy and open synovectomy were performed. Findings on the arthroscopy and operation, showed severe synovitis and defect of articular cartilage. The infecting organism was streptococcus. After the operation, he obtained relief of pain and good range of motion transiently but now motion pain reappears. It is considered that the destructive change of the shoulder joint by subluxation and the damage of articular cartilage and jiont components by pyogenic arthritis caused severe osteoarthritic changes.
