Indication and technique for shoulder endoprostheses in fractures

In the treatment of fractures of the humeral head, prosthetic replacement t oday is accepted as part of the therapeutic repertoire. The indication for this procedure is given if alternative conservative or operative techniques of preserving the humeral head in hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder joint l ed to universally poor outcomes. The models of endoprostheses that are curr ently available on the market mainly differ in the stem fixation method and means of securing the tuberosities and rotator cuff. Functional outcome of hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder joint after trauma is less than satisfact ory regardless of the type of implant. However. a stable. painless joint is obtained yielding satisfactory subjective patient outcomes. For correct in dications for prosthetic replacement of a fractured humeral head the surgeo n also has to know the results that can be achieved by other methods in a g iven situation.