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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Durability of partial humeral head resurfacing
Ruth A Delaney1, Michael T Freehill2, Laurence D Higgins3
1Harvard Shoulder Service, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|July 10, 2013
Summary
Partial humeral head resurfacing offers functional improvement for some patients but has a high failure rate, especially with prior surgeries. Long-term success is uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Shoulder arthroplasty
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Partial humeral head resurfacing arthroplasty utilizes a stemless device, aiming to preserve bone and restore normal anatomy.
- This study investigates whether partial resurfacing is a viable alternative to full resurfacing or total shoulder arthroplasty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functional outcomes and failure rates of partial humeral head resurfacing arthroplasty.
- To identify factors influencing the success of this procedure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 39 shoulders treated with partial humeral head resurfacing for focal chondral defects.
- Follow-up averaged 51.3 months, with clinical and radiographic assessments including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score Index and Subjective Shoulder Value.
Main Results:
- 64.1% of patients experienced improved function and reduced pain, with significant gains in range of motion and clinical scores.
- However, 15.3% required revision surgery and 10.2% were recommended for revision within a mean of 26.6 months.
- Outcomes were most reliable in patients without prior or concomitant procedures.
Conclusions:
- Concomitant pathology and previous surgical interventions may negatively impact partial resurfacing outcomes.
- The long-term success of partial humeral head resurfacing is guarded, particularly when chondral defects are not isolated.
