[Prostheses in recent and old complex injuries of the shoulder]

Eighty prostheses, including 46 humeral prostheses and 34 total ones, have been laid for complex injuries of the shoulder. In 56 cases, these were recent fractures, mainly of the head and tubercle of the humerus, in subject ages 65 in average. In 34 cases, the injuries were older and comprised malunion or epiphyseal necrosis. Five cases of subluxation and six of secondary displacement of the tubercles were noted. Pain was suppressed in most cases, but mobility was less satisfactory (37% exceeding 90 degrees active elevation). The humeral sealing evolved in a reassuring way, but a poorly evolutive glenoid rim was often observed. Finally, upper subluxation may occur during the evolution, which suggests the possibility of secondary ruptures in the rotator cuff.