Partial prosthetic replacement of the shoulder in fractures and fracture-dislocations of the proximal humerus.

A total of 48 patients submitted to partial shoulder replacement for fracture and fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range 2 to 10 years). The absolute mean Constant score was 57.8, relative score 76.8% and corrected score 80.4%. A mean of 8.8 points were totalled in the Simple Shoulder Test. Out of 45 patients evaluated radiographically, tuberosity consolidation in the anatomical site was evident in 25 shoulders (55%) and the subacromial space appeared to be preserved in 20 shoulders (44%). More than 90% of the patients declared that he or she was satisfied with treatment. A comparative study on subgroups of patients in an attempt to identify the prognostic value of several factors was conducted. Better functional results were obtained in subjects aged under 70 years, in fracture-dislocations, in shoulders with whole rotator cuffs, in patients with dedicated modular prostheses.