Arthroplasty of the Shoulder

Abstract

The use of arthroplasty of the shoulder, in spite of proof of its safety and durability, is not as extended as that of the hip and knee. However, it is currently considered to be a consolidated therapeutic option in the clinical practice. Its primary indications are fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus, glenohumeral arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, although the inverted shoulder prosthesis has been shown to be an effective option in the treatment of arthropathy of the shoulder associated to rotator cuff tearing in recent years. In relationship to the different types of shoulder prosthesis and as occurs with those of the hip and knee, these may be partial or total. Total prostheses may be con-strained, semiconstrained or non-constrained, while the humeral component may be modular or not.; There are several complications that may arise from this technique: instability, dislocation, loosening of prosthetic components, fractures, infections, rotator cuff injuries or neurological disorders.; In the shoulder arthroplasty, perhaps more than in any other type of arthroplasty, adequate and early rehabilitation is essential to obtain optimum results, within which are pain relief and functional improvement of the most outstanding aspects while recovery of shoulder mobility is generally limited.