[Proximal humeral resurfacing. Whats today indication?]

Data published in the literature about humeral resurfacing prostheses are not conclusive with good functional results but with large differences in the revision rate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes in patients operated at our center.

Retrospective study of 19 cases in 18 patients. Follow-up of 31 (12-61) months. Surgery was indicated in cases of primary or secondary osteoarthritis. Demographic data, Constant scale, DASH questionnaire, complications and satisfaction were analyzed. Three patients were lost to follow-up due to death unrelated to surgery.

Mean age of 56 (25-80) years. Constant normalized of 73 (23-104) points. DASH questionnaire of 31 (7-84) points. Ninety four percent of the patients resumed their recreational activities and 81% sports activities. In seven cases, inferior conflict in the glenoid with varus implant was observed radiologically. There were five complications; a conservatively resolved capsulitis, three reinterventions due to symptomatic inferior glenoid usury and another to uncontrollable pain in a conservative way. Patients without rotator cuff lesion presented better scores on the functional questionnaires. All patients were satisfied with the symptomatic improvement over the previous situation and would be operated again if necessary.

The functional outcomes reported are similar to those previously published and, based on them, we believe that the resurfacing prosthesis is an option to be considered in cases of primary or secondary osteoarthritis when there is no rotator cuff injury, regardless of age.