Total Humeral Endoprosthesis Replacement to Salvage Periprosthetic Fractures in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The authors report their experience in the management of a 53-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with bilateral asynchronous traumatic periprosthetic fractures of the humerus after bilateral elbow replacements. One side was treated with a long-stem revision and internal fixation with bone graft, while the other side was treated with a long-stem distal humeral replacement. She sustained pathological periprosthetic fractures on top of the long-stemmed implants. Total humeral endoprosthesis replacements were performed bilaterally as salvage procedures to provide a stable platform for her elbow and hand function. At manuscript submission, the patient was 24 months and 36 months postoperatively on the left and right sides, respectively. Her Oxford Shoulder Scores were 21 (left side) and 24 (right side). There is little information about the management of periprosthetic fractures of the humerus after long-stem revisions with severe bone loss. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report describing the use of bilateral total humeral endoprosthesis replacements in the management of complex unstable periprosthetic fractures. This is a valuable treatment option for patients with poor bone quality, bone loss, and loose components. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e363-e366.].