Hemiarthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures. Indications, pitfalls, and technique.

Complex displaced proximal humerus fractures are frequently treated with a fracture prosthesis. This paper outlines the indications, introduces various fracture prostheses, describes the surgical technique, and rehabilitation for treatment of proximal humerus fractures with a fracture prosthesis hemiarthroplasty. Outcomes are noted to be improved when near anatomic humeral head height, and retroversion is obtained using a small body proximal humeral replacing implant designed for fracture treatment. The use of a common platform stem allows for relatively easy conversion to a reverse shoulder arthroplasty if tuberosity nonunion should occur.