Clinical experience with total arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder using the Neer prosthesis

A consecutive series of 28 shoulders in 26 patients, treated since 1982 by either total arthroplasty (11 shoulders) or hemiarthroplasty (17 shoulders), are reviewed. A glenoid osteotomy was also performed in five of the shoulders with a hemiarthroplasty. Overall 16 shoulders were completely satisfactory with little pain and satisfactory movement. Nine had a total arthroplasty. The average range of shoulder elevation after total arthroplasty (121 degrees +/- 29 degrees) was significantly better than after hemiarthroplasty (91 degrees +/- 39 degrees). Pain was still present in seven shoulders with a hemiarthroplasty but in only one with a total joint replacement.