Hemiarthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy

Abstract

A retrospective review was conducted on 15 cases of shoulder hemiarthroplasty performed for cuff tear arthropathy. All cases had advanced glenohumeral arthritis with complete supraspinatus and infraspinatus rupture and substantial involvement of the teres minor and subscapularis. The mean patient age was 73 years; the mean follow-up was 28.2 months. Range of motion, functional ability, pain relief, and overall patient satisfaction were assessed preoperative/y and postoperatively. The average active forward elevation increased from 69" to 86°, and the average active external rotation increased from 15° to 29". Thirteen patients had an increase in their ability to perform activities of daily living, I patient was unchanged, and I patient had a decrease in ability to perform activities of daily living. Pain relief was significantly improved in all but I patient. Eleven patients (13 of 15 shoulders, 87%) expressed an overall satisfaction with their surgery. Patients were assessed preoperative/y and postoperatively through use of the UCLA Rating Scale; the average increase was I I to 22 points. In addition, isokinetic strength testing was performed preoperative/y and postoperatively on 6 of the 15 involved shoulders. An increase in peak torque in forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation was noted postoperatively. The findings of this study indicate that favorable clinical results can be obtained after hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder with associated massive rotator cuff deficiency.