Hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder after four-part fracture of the humeral head: a long-term analysis of 34 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the treatment outcomes of patients with four-part fracture of the humeral head after primary and secondary hemiarthroplasty.

PATIENTS: Retrospective long-term analysis of 46 patients from 1996 to 2002 of patients with 47 four-part fractures of humeral head. Patients with malignant disease were excluded.

INTERVENTION: Aequalis (Tornier, Burscheid, Germany).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Absolute and relative constant scores at 5-year follow-up examination without age or sex normalization, radiographic parameters of calcification, dislocation of tuberosities, prosthetic loosening, and dislocation of joint.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients treated by primary and 16 patients treated by secondary arthroplasty were assessed clinically and radiologically after a mean follow-up of 64 (60-96) months. The absolute Constant scores at follow-up were 54.9 to 48.5 points, respectively. The relative scores were 61.4% and 57.3%, respectively. Dislocation of tuberosities with severe loss of function was found in five cases treated by primary arthroplasty (13.5%) and in 12 treated by secondary arthroplasty (75.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients in both groups was free of pain or suffered minor pain as determined by the Constant score. Safe fixation of the tuberosities is a prerequisite for functional exercises and is better achieved in primary arthroplasty. A computed tomography scan before operative therapy aids in making the decision between open reduction and internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty.