[Prosthetic arthroplasty in recent and old complex injuries of the shoulder]

Thirty-four acute and 22 old injuries of the shoulder have been operated on, using either a humeral prosthesis (24 cases) or a total Neer prosthesis (32 cases). The mean age of the patients was 66 years. There were 32 acute and 13 old four-part fractures of the upper end of the humerus and 6 dislocations of the shoulder. The surgical technique and the method of rehabilitation are described. There were 17 post-operative complications, including 4 dislocations, 2 cases of secondary displacements of bone fragments and 2 loosenings of the glenoid component. In only 4 cases was a further operation needed. The results were analysed in 43 cases with a follow-up greater than one year. In 34 cases, there was no pain, but only 17 cases had more than 90 degrees of active flexion. There were no loosenings of the humeral stem. In two cases of humeral replacement, a narrowing of the joint space was noted. There was moderate peri-articular ossifications on 6 occasions. An upward displacement of the prosthesis was noted on 10 occasions, due to rupture of the rotator cuff. The results were much better in acute lesions than in chronic ones. The authors conclude that prosthetic replacement is indicated in severe fractures of the upper end of the humerus, whether acute or chronic, and if the patient is elderly.