Introduction. We performed humeral head replacement (HHR) with smaller head for closing the cuff defect in patients of cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). And also, if the cuff defect could not close by decreasing the head size, we add muscle tendon transfer such as latissimus dorsi transfer for posterosuperior defect and
Introduction. In recently, Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear has been worldwidely performed. Many studies on RSA reported a good improvement in flexion of the sholulder, however, no improvement in external rotation (ER)and internal rotation motion (IR). Additionally, RSA has some risks to perform especially in younger patients, because high rates of complications such as deltoid stretching and loosening, infection, neurologic injury, dislocation, acromial fracture, and breakage of the prosthesis after long-term use were reported. Favard et al noted a 72% survival with a Constant-Murley score of <30 at 10 years with a marked break occurring at 8 years. Boileau et al noted caution is required, as such patients are often younger, and informed consent must obviously cover the high complication rate in this group, as well as the unknown longer-term outcome. Its use should be limited to elderly patients, arguably those aged over 70 years, with poor function and severe pain related to cuff deficiency. We developed a novel strategy in 2001, in which we used the humeral head to close the cuff defect and move the center of rotation medially and distally to increase the lever arm of the deltoid muscle. Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcome of our strategy for younger patients with an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods. Eighteen shoulders (9 of male patients, 9 of female patients) of patients under 70 years old with an irreparable cuff tears and who were treated with Humeral Head Replacement (HHR) and cuff reconstruction were followed up for more than 12 months. The average age was 63.9 years (range, 58–69 years). The average follow-up period was 27.3 months (range, 12–76 months). The cuff defect was successfully closed in 8 shoulders, whereas 8 shoulders required a Latissimus Dorsi transfer; one other shoulder required a Pectralis Major transfer, and one required both Latissimus dorsi and
