Shoulder function after prosthetic replacement of proximal humerus

Between 1973 and 1985 eighteen patients with bone tumours and two patients with comminuted fractures had their proximal humerus replaced with a custom made isoelastic hemiendoprosthesis. In 1987 a clinical and radiographical review was performed of eleven patients with a mean follow up time of seven years, range 3-10 years. Four patients had pain at rest and six patients experienced severe pain on exertion. Active range of motion was poor and constituted only half of the corresponding range of passive motion. Shoulder girdle muscles were generally weak, only one patient could keep the arm straight in a flexed or abducted position. All patients had returned to their previous occupations, but their ability to perform ADL functions was poor. Rotator cuff insufficiency was considered to be the major cause of poor shoulder function. In comparison to most other surgical alternatives in tumour cases endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus appears to be a safe and reliable method. The endoprosthesis gives stability to the arm and normal elbow and hand function is preserved.