POOR FUNCTION AFTER SHOULDER REPLACEMENT IN FRACTURE PATIENTS - A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF 29 PATIENTS FOLLOWED FOR 2-12 YEARS

We evaluated the functional outcome 3 (2-12) years after arthroplasty in 29 proximal humerus fractures. The patients' average age at the tim e of surgery was 71 (47-87) years. The follow-up included a full clini cal examination by an independent observer, a questionnaire concerning activities of daily living and pain, and radiographs. The shoulders h ad a marked reduction of performance, with a Constant score mean of 38 (16-69). All patients were able to eat with utensils, 10 could comb t heir hair, 19 managed to wash the contralateral armpit, 3 could reach the back pocket and 12 were able to take care of the perineal area. On the VAS-scale (0-100 mm), pain at rest was mean 21 (0-53) mm and on m otion 47 (0-91) mm. The patients were stratified regarding surgical tr eatment within 3 weeks (18 acute vs. 11 late) and prosthetic design (1 4 Neer II vs. 14 Global modular) without significant differences, as a ssessed by the Constant scores. We conclude that the treatment of seve re proximal humerus fractures with a prosthesis does not give complete pain relief and results in impaired shoulder function.