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Fractures adjacent to humeral prostheses
A D Boyd1, T S Thornhill, C L Barnes
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|December 11, 1992
Summary
Humeral fractures after shoulder replacement surgery often lead to complications. Operative treatment generally results in successful healing and pain relief, though some loss of shoulder motion may occur.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Humeral fractures are a known complication following shoulder arthroplasty.
- This study reviews outcomes of these specific fractures in patients undergoing total shoulder replacement or shoulder hemiarthroplasty.
Observation:
- Seven patients with humeral fractures post-shoulder arthroplasty (1974-1988) were identified.
- All patients experienced complications, with five requiring surgery for fracture non-union.
Findings:
- Operative management led to successful fracture healing without sequelae.
- Four surgically treated patients reported satisfactory pain relief; one reported fair relief.
- Non-operative treatment resulted in malunion and necessitated revision surgery.
- Average healing time after operative intervention was five months.
- Five of six patients with united fractures experienced a permanent decrease in shoulder motion.
Implications:
- Surgical intervention appears to be the preferred method for managing humeral fractures after shoulder arthroplasty.
- While operative treatment can restore bone integrity and alleviate pain, preservation of shoulder range of motion remains a concern.