Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short to mid-term results after hemiarthroplasty with extended head prosthesis (CTA head) for patients with cuff tear arthopathy.
Hypothesis
Favorable pain reduction would be obtained after hemiarthroplasty with the extended head design.
Methods
From June 2005 to Apr 2012, 20 shoulders in 18 patients (mean age 75.6 years-old; 8 famales, 10 males) with cuff tear arthopathy (14, Seebauer 1A; 4, 1B; 1, IIA; 1, IIB) were treated with a hemiarthroplasty with an extended head design (14, CTA head, DePuy; 6, SMR, Lima, figure 1). Minimum follow up was 2 years. Patients were evaluated based on range of motion, the modified UCLA score, and complications. Data were analyzed by means of Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results
There was no complication related to the implant during this study period (mean follow-up, 3.7 years). There was no infection, hardware loosening, or evidence of progressive acroimion wear. The UCLA score improved from 12.6 to 26.3 at final follow-up (p < 0.01), especially the pain score in the UCLA score improved from 2.8 to 7.6 (p < 0.01). Forward elevation increased slightly from 94° to 118° (p < 0.05), and, external rotation increased from 22.5° to 25.3°. No clinical improvement was observed in the Seebauer IIA patient. Overall, 85% of patients expressed an overall satisfaction with their surgery.
Discussion and conclusion
Pain was significantly relieved in the majority of cases. The findings of this study indicate that favorable pain reduction could be obtained after hemiarthroplasty with the extended head design for patients with a cuff tear arthopathy without the superior humeral escape. A low complication rate could be expected for this procedure.