[Evaluation of shoulder arthroplasty in treatment of four-fragment fractures of the proximal humerus].

The dislocated four-fragment fracture of the proximal humerus is a problematic fracture. In this study we evaluated shoulder function after implantation of a shoulder hemiprosthesis of the anatomical generation. The evaluation was based on a case-control study in which the following information was gathered: epidemiology, Constant-Murley score, compliance score, radiological results, and a summary of complications. Twenty shoulder prostheses were implanted between September 2000 and August 2002. After an average follow-up time of 14 months, the average Constant score was 52. The score for the opposite shoulder was 91 points. The function found to be most limited was shoulder movement. The subjective estimation of shoulder function had a mean value of 49% and correlated with the Constant score. Fourteen of the patients exhibited a postoperative defect in the tuberculum majus. Implantation of shoulder hemiprostheses allows treatment of four-fragment fractures of the humerus head in older patients, whereby limitations of mobility and function are to be expected.