Abstract
Introduction
Proximal humeral fracture occurs most frequently in elderly and usually unite within 12 weeks. Malunion is more common than nonunion. And even if nonunion occurs, we usually treat it by the blade plate. Norris et al. reported hemiarthroplasty is indicated for severe degenerative changes of the articular surface, osteonecrosis of the humeral head, or osteopenia severe enough to jeopardize fixation in order patients. Therefore, it is not common that hemiarthroplasty is used for primary treatment of the proximal humeral pseudoarthrosis. We report a case of proximal humerus pseudoarthrosis which was treated by hemiarthroplasty.
Case
A patients is 75 years old male. He was injured by falling from ladder. He was diagnosed proximal humeral fracture Neer type2. After he was followed conservatively for one year, he was referred to our hospital. In X-ray film and CT, the humeral head was scraped by the humeral shaft that was tucked inward to humeral head.(Figure 1) In MRI, rotator cuff muscles were left. The fatty infiltration was stage 1 in the Gourtallier classification. (Figure 2)And osteoarthritis of shoulder was not so severe. Therefore, we decided to do hemiarthroplasty. We used the SMR implant (Lima Corporate, Milano, Italy). Surgical reconstruction was done using a deltpectral approach. Lesser tuberosity was cut from greater tuberosity with subscaplaris muscle. We used the cementless stem. Each fragments and stem was fixed using FiberWire (Arthrex, Florida USA), after autograft which scraped from the reseceted humeral head was stuffed. After the operation, the shoulder was fixed by brace for 4weeks. The passive ROM exercise was started from 21 days later. The Active ROM exercise was started at 28 days later. Three months later, the pseudoarthrosis united successfully. (Figure 3) The active flexion was improved from 20 degrees to 110 degrees. The active abduction was from 20 degrees to 90 degrees. USLA score was improved from 10 to 26.
Discussion
In this case, the pseudoarthrosis is united successfully. Therefore, the cementless hemiarthroplasty is useful for treatment for the proximal humerus pseudoarthrosis with severe humeral head bone defect.
