MODULAR SHOULDER HEMIARTHROPLASTY FOR ACUTE FRACTURES - SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Displaced fractures of the proximal humerus with concomitant comminuti on, interruption of vascular supply, and articular incongruity often r equire prosthetic replacement for successful treatment. In these diffi cult cases, the success of prosthetic replacement is dependent on prop er patient selection, appropriate surgical technique, and a well-super vised postoperative rehabilitation program. Careful surgical technique should ensure proper placement of the humeral component at the correc t height and version, and proper position and fixation of the displace d tuberosities. Supervised rehabilitation emphasizing early range of m otion and strength when the tuberosities have healed improves results. The authors found that a modular design humeral implant allows for im proved tensioning of the soft tissues and reconstruction of the tubero sities.