Primary endoprosthesis in comminuted humeral head fractures in patients over 60 years of age

The purpose of this study was to determine the early subjective and functio nal results after primary endoprosthesis replacement for comminuted humeral head fractures in patients over 60 years old. Twenty comminuted humeral he ad fractures in 20 patients were treated primarily (within 3.5 days (range 0-17 days) with a Neer LI modular shoulder prosthesis, and were then follow ed up for an average of 32.5 months (range 17-44 months). The average age o f the patients was 77 years (range 63-91 years). The average post-operative Constant score was 52 points (range 30-76). This was significantly less th an that of the contralateral side where the score was 80 points (range 53-1 00), P=0.0001. The average active abduction was 90 degrees (contralateral 1 57 degrees) and active flexion 99 degrees (contralateral 161 degrees). Eigh teen of the 20 patients experienced relief of pain and would accept the sam e procedure again.