The results of prosthetic replacement in fracture-dislocations of the upper end of the humerus.

Eleven patients with fracture-dislocation of the upper end of the humerus treated by a Neer prosthesis are reviewed. The results of treatment are very disappointing. The complication rate is high. From these results in a small series, it would appear that prosthetic replacement of the humeral head does not offer the patient any significant advantage when compared with other reported methods. The possible cause of these poor results are discussed.