Shoulder Replacement for Fracture

Hemiarthroplasty is a shoulder replacement where the broken humeral head is replaced with an artificial joint and the fractured bone reconstructed around the artificial joint.

This is performed when the fracture is severely displaced. The blood supply to the humeral head is damaged and it is at risk of eroding if repaired. The head is therefore replaced, rather than repaired. This is more commonly performed in elderly people.

For the post-operative rehabilitation - click here
Living with a Shoulder Sling - click here

Below is a pictorial case report.

Four part fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus. The fracture parts are highlighted:

Fixation with a hemiarthroplasty:
 

Click Here for Animations of the surgical fixation

Post-operative wound:

Range of motion at 6 months post-op: