[Resurfacing of the humeral head : sensible indications]

Cup resurfacing of the humeral head is one of the possible prosthetic solutions for severe destruction of the glenohumeral joint. Because neurological complications are not uncommon after total shoulder arthroplasty using surface replacement, these cups are indicated when hemiarthroplasty is possible. The advantages of humeral head resurfacing are bone preservation and the technically easy exchange if revision is necessary; therefore, young patients are candidates for this type of endoprosthesis. At present humeral head resurfacing is indicated for osteoarthritic destruction of Walch types A1 and C, for rheumatic destruction with deficient cuff in younger patients, cuff arthropathy in younger patients with Seebauer types 1A and 1B, humeral head necrosis with normal glenoid and necrotic bone in less than one third of the humeral head and dislocation arthropathy in younger patients.