The Short Term Clinical Results of Hemiarthroplasty to Treat Humeral Head Osteonecrosis

Sohn, Kang Min; Sung, Chang Meen; Park, Hyung Bin

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: While uncommon, humeral head osteonecrosis is an indication for arthroplasty when the humeral head collapse is advanced. The current authors report the short-term clinical results of 7 hemiarthroplasties to treat humeral head osteonecrosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study focused on 7 reconstructed shoulders of 5 patients whose humeral head osteonecrosis was treated with hemiarthroplasty. The postulated causes were alcohol-induced (4 cases) and steroidinduced (3 cases). The minimum follow-up was 12 months. This study compared the preoperative and postoperative shoulder pain, range of motion, and ASES scores. The postoperative patient satisfaction was assessed.
RESULTS
The level of pain during exercise was reduced from a preoperative average of 7.6 to a postoperative average of 1.9. The range of motion, in terms of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation, improved from preoperative averages of 105.7degrees, 80degrees, and 22.1degrees to postoperative averages of 146.6degrees, 139.3degrees, and 44.3degrees, respectively. The ASES scores increased from a preoperative mean of 39.0 to a postoperative mean of 84.1. The patients' ratings of the outcomes were excellent (5 cases) and good (2 cases).
CONCLUSIONS
These short-term results indicate that hemiarthroplasty is a reliable treatment method for humeral head osteonecrosis improving shoulder pain, range of motion, and patient satisfaction.