Osteonecrosis Of Humeral Head Research Articles

Short-term outcomes after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis versus osteonecrosis.

The outcomes of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) have been extensively reported in the literature. However, there is a paucity of short-term outcomes data on perioperative and post-operative outcomes in patients receiving TSA for either glenoid or humeral head osteonecrosis (ON). We compared the short-term outcomes of TSA performed on patients who had glenohumeral OA and those who had ON. Specifically, we compared: (I) demographics; (II) length-of-stay (LOS); and (III) 30-day postoperative complication rates. Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) was used to select 7,066 patients with a diagnosis of glenohumeral OA or ON who underwent TSA between January 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2015. Propensity score matching was performed based on age, sex, race, and body mass index (BMI) with a 3:1 ratio of OA to ON patients. As a result, 387 patients who had a primary diagnosis of OA were compared with 129 patients who had ON. Analyses addressed perioperative complications and hospital disposition factors-including LOS and 30-day post-operative complications-using bivariate and logistic regression models. Overall complication rates were low in both groups, at 6.1% and 5.4% for the ON and OA cohorts respectively. The ON cohort had more comorbidities, including higher Charlson/Devo and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (P<0.05). Hospital disposition factors were not statistically different between the 2 groups. While not statistically significant, the ON cohort had a longer average (21.1% longer, P>0.05), an increased risk for developing any complication [odds ratio (OR) =2.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94 to 4.57; P=0.07], and a 134% higher risk for developing a minor complication compared to the OA (OR =2.34; 95% CI, 1.01 to 5.42; P=0.047). Although the patient populations who develop ON or shoulder OA have differences, there are not statistically or clinically meaningful differences in the short-term outcomes after anatomic TSA. Future studies are required to examine if differences exist in the long-term follow-up between the two groups.

Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Using Intraoperative 3D Navigation.

Glenohumeral arthritis has become increasingly prevalent. For patients with glenohumeral arthritis and an intact rotator cuff, an anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has been shown to provide substantial pain relief with consistent, reproducible results. The primary indication is intractable pain that has not responded to nonoperative treatment, resulting in a substantial negative impact on the quality of life of the patient. Other indications for anatomic TSA include posttraumatic glenohumeral arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and humeral head osteonecrosis. Contraindications include active infection, deltoid insufficiency, severe glenoid bone deficiency, and excessive glenohumeral posterior subluxation or laxity that cannot be surgically corrected. In order to provide the stability necessary to withstand the forces that impact the glenoid, the implant used in TSA should replicate the native anatomy of the individual patient by using a combination of implant modularity with different humeral neck angles and glenoid version augments, as well as dual eccentricity of the neck and head implant. The major steps in TSA include (1) preoperative planning, (2) patient positioning and setup, (3) surgical exposure, (4) accessing the glenohumeral joint, (5) preparation of the humerus, (6) exposure and preparation of the glenoid with component insertion, (7) humeral component insertion and trial reduction, (8) subscapularis reattachment and closure, and (9) postoperative immobilization and rehabilitation. The expected outcomes of TSA include improved quality of life (as indicated by improved outcome and patient satisfaction scores), shoulder active range of motion, and strength. In a large study examining outcomes of TSA in patients >55 years old, Patel et al.1 reported improved American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (48.3 ± 23.0), Constant (33.1 ± 16.7), and University of California Los Angeles (16.7 ± 6.3) shoulder scores, as well as improved active range of motion in active abduction (42° ± 41°), forward flexion (46° ± 40°), external rotation (33° ± 23°), and internal rotation (2.2° ± 1.8°) and decreased visual analog scale scores (-5.1 ± 2.9). Another study2 showed increased maximal weight improvement of 7.7 ± 4.0 lbs (3.5 ± 1.8 kg).

Anatomic locking plates for complex proximal humeral fractures: anatomic neck fractures versus surgical neck fractures

Continued debate exists on the management of displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures. Only a few studies have compared the efficacy of proximal humeral locking plates (PHLPs) for treating anatomic neck fractures (ANFs) and surgical neck fractures (SNFs). The medical data of 31 consecutive patients with displaced 4-part proximal humeral fractures treated with PHLPs between May 2013 and April 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into the ANF and SNF groups and assessed the neck-shaft angle (NSA), sum of the screw tip-articular surface distance, and other parameters postoperatively at 3 days and at 12 months using shoulder radiographs. The Constant-Murley scores were assessed at 3 days, 12 months, and last follow-up. The ANF group had a significantly lower mean age and significantly greater mean operative duration, estimated blood loss, and rate of bone grafting. Full or partial osteonecrosis of the humeral head developed in 7 patients and 1 patient in the ANF and SNF groups, respectively. Screw cutout and/or pullout complications occurred in 8 cases in the ANF group but not in the SNF group. In the ANF group, the values for NSA and the sum of the screw tip-articular surface distance changed significantly from 3 days to 12 months postoperatively. There were no significant correlations among the tested parameters. ANFs resulted in more complications at a younger age than SNFs. ANF treatment using PHLPs is more prone to a decreased NSA and humeral head osteonecrosis and has poorer clinical outcomes than SNF treatment using PHLPs.

Rapid Progressive Osteonecrosis of the Humeral Head After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery

To verify the clinical features and the risk factors of rapid progressive osteonecrosis of the humeral head after arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery (ARCS). Data and medical records of 24 patients who had rapid progressive collapse of the humeral head after ARCS performed from October 2012 to March 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 8 patients demonstrated no evidence of osteonecrosis of the humeral head preoperatively yet developed rapid progressive collapse of the humeral head within 12months after ARCS. All patients were women with a mean age of 64.0years (range, 52-74years), and all of them had surgery on their dominant side. Sudden pain developed at a mean 4months (range, 0-6months) after index surgery. The rapid progressive collapse of the humeral head occurred within 12months after index surgery. No clear risk factor or evidence supporting an association between ARCS and humeral head osteonecrosis was found. Although the cause of the rapid progressive humeral head osteonecrosis after ARCS still needs to be established, surgeons should be aware of the possible development of humeral head osteonecrosis after ARCS, especially in older women with dominant arm involvement. Level IV, prognostic case series.

Core decompression and arthroplasty outcomes for atraumatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head

Humeral head osteonecrosis treatment varies depending on the stage and symptoms. Successful outcomes for humeral head core decompression for stage I/II disease in chronic steroid-induced (CSI) osteonecrosis have been reported, but fewer data exist for sickle cell disease (SCD) etiology. Resurfacing and hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) are common for advanced collapse, with mixed results. We evaluate radiographic and functional outcomes after procedures for humeral head atraumatic avascular necrosis (HAAVN), decompression efficacy in CSI and SCD populations, and report outcomes of advanced disease requiring arthroplasty. Twenty-five shoulders were treated surgically for HAAVN. Post-traumatic AVN patients were excluded. Stage I/II disease received core decompression and ultrasound bone stimulation. Stage III received surface replacement or hemiarthroplasty, and arthroplasty was performed for stage IV/V. Radiographs and clinical scores were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Included were 25 HAAVN shoulders (13 SCD and 12 CSI). Eleven shoulders (stage I/II disease) underwent core decompression. Seven of 8 shoulders (88%) progressed to stage III/IV after decompression. All SCD patients progressed to collapse. The procedure in 19 shoulders was surface replacement, hemiarthroplasty, or TSA. Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test-12, and University of California Los Angeles Shoulder scores were significantly higher at 1- and 2-year follow-up with arthroplasty; 13 of 16 arthroplasty patients (81%) had satisfactory to excellent results. One surface replacement was revised to reverse TSA. Results suggest core decompression for AVN in SCD patients does not alter osteonecrosis progression and humeral head collapse. Resurfacing and hemiarthroplasty are viable treatment options for stage III, whereas shoulder replacement for stage IV/V disease appears to offer better functional results.

Rapidly Progressive Osteonecrosis of the Humeral Head after Arthroscopic Bankart and Rotator Cuff Repair in a 66-Year Old Woman: A Case Report

Humeral head chondrolysis has been widely reported as a devastating complication after arthroscopic shoulder surgery; however little is known about post-arthroscopic humeral head osteonecrosis. We experienced a 66-year-old female patient with rapidly progressive osteonecrosis of the humeral head only seven months after arthroscopic Bankart and rotator cuff repair. The patient had no systemic risk factors for osteonecrosis. A satisfactory result was achieved with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for severe humeral head destruction and an irreparable massive rotator cuff tear. Shoulder surgeons should be aware of such severe complication, perform routine radiographs, and pay close attention to the presence of constant pain or loss of motion after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for the management of proximal humerus fractures.

The use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty is becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of complex three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures in the elderly compared with the often unpredictable and poor outcomes provided by open reduction and internal fixation and by hemiarthroplasty. Inferior results with plate osteosynthesis are often a result of complications of humeral head osteonecrosis, loss of fixation, and screw penetration through the humeral head, whereas major concerns with hemiarthroplasty are tuberosity resorption, malunion, and nonunion resulting in pseudoparalysis. Comparative studies support the use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures because the functional outcomes and relief of pain are reliably improved. Repair and union of the greater tuberosity fragment during reverse shoulder arthroplasty demonstrates improved external rotation, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction compared with outcomes after tuberosity resection, nonunion, or resorption. Satisfactory results can be obtained with careful preoperative planning and attention to technical details.

Lessons learned from treating patients with unstable multifragmentary fractures of the proximal humerus by minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis.

The authors present clinical and radiographic results of minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for three- or four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. Twenty-six patients with three- or four-part proximal humeral fractures treated with the MIPO technique through the deltoid splitting approach were clinically and radiographically evaluated at a minimum of 12months with an average of 20.1months. The valgus-impacted type of three-part fracture was excluded to verify the results of the MIPO with unstable multifragmentary fractures of the proximal humerus. Twenty female patients and six male patients were included (mean age 67years; range 18-90years). No cases of nonunion were seen. The mean forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation were 145°, 119°, and 48°, respectively. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) for pain was 1.47 points. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score was 14.5 points, and the mean UCLA score was 29.6 points. The mean neck-shaft angle was 134°. Twenty-three patients had adequate medial support, and three patients did not have adequate medial support on initial postoperative radiographs. Five shoulders (19%) developed complicated results. Two cases of proximal malposition of the plate (7.7%) and two intra-articular screw penetrations (7.7%) were observed. One case of osteonecrosis of the humeral head was identified at the final follow-up (3.8%). The MIPO technique provides reliable radiologic and functional outcomes for three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures. Our results might support the use of MIPO for treating unstable multi fragmentary fractures of proximal humerus such as three- or four-part fractures to decrease osteonecrosis of humeral head.

Rapid progressive atypical atraumatic osteonecrosis of humeral head: a case report.

Osteonecrosis of the humeral head is an uncommon and slow progressive condition. This condition is difficult to be recognized because its initial symptoms are nonspecific. Simple radiography is the standard tool to stage disease progression. However, plain radiographic findings of osteonecrosis are nearly normal in the initial stage. We report a case of 74 years old female patient who have suffered from painful limitation of the shoulder joint. She had no trauma history and no specific predisposing factors for osteonecrosis of the humeral head. To confirm, follow up radiography and shoulder magnetic resonance imaging were performed.

Does medial support decrease major complications of unstable proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plate?

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of medial support and clinical factors responsible on outcomes and major complications associated with treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures using a locking plate and suture augmentation.MethodsSixty-three cases in 62 patients (42 female, 20 male) were evaluated between September 2004 and October 2008. Cases were divided into either a medial support group (36 cases) or non-medial support group (27 cases). Clinical and radiographic evaluations included Neer’s evaluation criteria, the neck-shaft angle using the Paavolainen method, and complications. We analyzed the correlation between bone- and fracture- related complications and three independent clinical variables, such as the presence of medial support, fracture type, and osteoporosis by way of multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in the overall incidence of complications based on the presence of medial support (p = 0.014) and preoperative fracture type (p = 0.018), but no differences based on the presence of osteoporosis (p = 0.157). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, the restoration of medial support was the most reliable factor to prevent bone- and fracture- related complications. In addition, when we compared the incidence of bone- and fracture-related complications in the presence or absence of medial support among 30 patients with osteoporosis, the group with restoration of medial support had only one complication of humeral head osteonecrosis despite the presence of osteoporosis (5.9% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.025). According to Neer’s criteria, excellent or satisfactory clinical results accounted for seventy-three percent of the total cases (46 of 63 cases). Seventy-eight percent (49 of 55 cases) showed good radiographic results by the Paavolainen method. There were 14 complications in 13 of 63 cases (20.6%).ConclusionsIn the treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures with locking plate technology and suture augmentation, we suggest that obtaining medial support is an important factor in preventing major bone- and fracture-related postoperative complications such as reduction loss or nonunion.

Postarthroscopic Humeral Head Osteonecrosis Treated With Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Although postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis has become a well-known disastrous complication of arthroscopic shoulder surgery, little is known about postarthroscopic humeral head osteonecrosis. This article describes 3 patients who were referred to the authors' practice with end-stage osteonecrosis after an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair or debridement.Three patients (average age, 63.3 years) presented to the authors' practice reporting severe shoulder pain after a rotator cuff debridement or repair was performed at an outside facility. After an interval period of mild improvement, all patients experienced progressive pain and loss of shoulder range of motion at a mean of 4.8 months postoperatively. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging obtained prior to the index operation showed no evidence of osteonecrosis. Postoperatively, progressive clinical and radiographic evidence showed humeral head osteonecrosis and subsequent glenohumeral destruction with cuff tear arthropathy. The authors managed all patients with a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty due to severe glenohumeral arthrosis and massive rotator cuff tears not amendable to repair. Satisfactory results were achieved in all cases.Although many complications of arthroscopic shoulder surgery are documented, little is known about postarthroscopic humeral head osteonecrosis. Shoulder surgeons should be aware of this potential complication when performing arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery and when evaluating painful and stiff postarthroscopic shoulders.

Attrition Tendinitis of Long Head of Biceps Brachii in Relation to Humeral Head Osteonecrosis: Case Report

This case report identifies a 41-year-old male patient who developed anterior shoulder pain in the setting of humeral head osteonecrosis. As a consequence of the cartilage degeneration, multiple loose bodies formed and migrated into the bicipital tendon sheath, causing attrition tendinitis, which was a feature of the clinical presentation. The patient was treated by a combination of arthroscopic glenohumeral joint debridement and open tenodesis of the biceps using a suture anchor. Follow-up revealed asymptomatic shoulder function by 18 months. This is the first report in the literature of bicipital tendinitis in the context of avascular necrosis of the shoulder.

Humeral head osteonecrosis in an adolescent amateur swimming athlete: a case report

Osteonecrosis of the humeral head in an adolescent without clear pathogenesis has not been reported in the literature. In this case report, we present such a case of humeral head osteonecrosis in a 15-year-old adolescent. The lesion was located at the subchondral area of the medial part of the humeral head with characteristic appearances on MRI. The shoulder was immobilized in a sling until the pain disappeared, and the patient was told to refrain any kind of sport activities. Bone remodeling was noted five months after the first visit, and it took 2 years for the lesion to be totally healed.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

What are the indications for shoulder replacement surgery? The most common indication for shoulder replacement remains primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Other indications include complex proximal humeral fractures, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies, humeral head osteonecrosis, instability arthropathy, posttraumatic arthritis, chronic fixed glenohumeral dislocation, rotator cuff tear arthropathy, postinfectious arthropathy, glenohumeral chondrolysis, glenohumeral arthritis associated with neurologic pathology such as Parkinson’s disease, glenohumeral arthritis associated with prior radiation therapy, glenohumeral arthritis associated with skeletal dysplasia, certain shoulder girdle tumors, certain proximal humeral malunions, certain proximal humeral nonunions, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears with chronic pseudoparalysis without glenohumeral arthritis, and failure of a previous shoulder arthroplasty.

Widespread Osteonecrosis in Children With Leukemia Revealed by Whole-body MRI

Confirmation of early long-bone epiphyseal osteonecrosis in pediatric patients with leukemia allows for medical and surgical intervention before articular surface collapse. MRI detects early osteonecrosis, but multiple focused MR images are required to capture all lesions. We determined whether whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) could (1) assist in diagnosing long-bone epiphyseal and other osteonecroses, (2) characterize articular surface involvement, and (3) detect preferential sites for osteonecrosis. We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on all 11 pediatric patients newly diagnosed with leukemia who had musculoskeletal pain develop that persisted 4 weeks or more during leukemia treatment. All were screened for osteonecrosis by WB-MRI, which consisted of a one-time scan of the entire body. Osteonecrosis was defined as circumscribed lesions with a distinct rim of low signal intensity in the normally high-intensity marrow on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity in the normally low-intensity marrow on short-tau inversion recovery images. WB-MRI confirmed osteonecrosis in nine of 11 patients. All patients had multisite lesions; eight had long-bone epiphyseal lesions, which comprised 66 of 129 (51%) of all lesions. Osteonecrosis involving greater than 50% of the epiphyseal surface was present in 57% of distal femoral and proximal tibial lesions. All humeral and femoral head lesions involved more than 1/3 of the medial surface volume but were asymptomatic. No articular collapse was present. All osteonecrotic lesions were more common in the lower extremities. WB-MRI confirmed early epiphyseal osteonecrosis, with quantification of articular surface involvement. Lower limbs were preferentially affected, but asymptomatic humeral head osteonecrosis was present in five of nine patients. Level IV, diagnostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hemiarthroplasty for Three- and Four-part Proximal Humerus Fractures

Displaced three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures are among the most challenging shoulder conditions to manage. Because of the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and humeral head osteonecrosis, surgical management is preferred. Locking plate technology has provided an alternative to hemiarthroplasty for certain three- and four-part fracture patterns, even in the setting of osteopenic bone. Prosthetic humeral head replacement has been advocated for head-splitting fractures and fracture-dislocations as well as four-part fractures with significant initial varus displacement (>20°). Technical challenges, including obtaining proper humeral head height, retroversion, and optimal positioning and fixation of the tuberosities, have a substantial effect on patient outcomes.

The Natural Progression of Symptomatic Humeral Head Osteonecrosis in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Osteonecrosis of the humeral head is a frequent complication in adults with sickle cell disease. However, little is known about the rate of, and the factors influencing, progression of symptomatic shoulder osteonecrosis in patients with this disease. Eighty-two adult patients with sickle cell disease and symptomatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head (104 shoulders) were identified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 1985 and 1993. Nineteen of the eighty-two patients were homozygous for hemoglobin S (S/S genotype), thirty-seven had hemoglobin S/hemoglobin C (S/C), and twenty-six had hemoglobin S/beta-thalassemia (S/T). Shoulder osteonecrosis was graded with the method of Cruess with an adaptation for MRI as proposed by Steinberg et al. for hip osteonecrosis. Annual radiographs were obtained. At the initial evaluation, thirty-eight symptomatic shoulders were designated as stage I (with osteonecrosis seen only on MRI), forty-two symptomatic shoulders were designated as stage II (radiographic evidence without collapse), and twenty-four symptomatic shoulders were designated as stage III or IV (a crescent line or collapse). Partial or total repair with a decrease in the size of the osteonecrotic lesion or in the stage was never observed on MRI. At the time of the most recent follow-up (average, twenty years; range, fifteen to twenty-four years), collapse had occurred in eighty-nine shoulders (86%). The mean interval between the onset of pain and collapse was six years (range, six months to seventeen years; median, eight years). Of the 104 symptomatic shoulders, sixty-three (61%) with collapse worsened clinically until surgical treatment was needed. The principal risk factors for development of shoulder osteonecrosis in adults with sickle cell disease were the presence of hip osteonecrosis and the S/T or S/C genotype. The rate and risk of progression of the lesion until collapse occurred were significantly related to the S/S genotype, to a stage of II, to a large size of the osteonecrotic lesion, and to a medial or posterior location of the lesion. Untreated symptomatic shoulder osteonecrosis related to sickle cell disease has a high likelihood of progressing to humeral head collapse, and the natural evolution in the long term requires surgical treatment for many of these patients.

Hemiarthroplasty for Three- and Four-part Proximal Humerus Fractures

Displaced three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures are among the most challenging shoulder conditions to manage. Because of the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and humeral head osteonecrosis, surgical management is preferred. Locking plate technology has provided an alternative to hemiarthroplasty for certain three- and four-part fracture patterns, even in the setting of osteopenic bone. Prosthetic humeral head replacement has been advocated for head-splitting fractures and fracture-dislocations as well as four-part fractures with significant initial varus displacement (>20°). Technical challenges, including obtaining proper humeral head height, retroversion, and optimal positioning and fixation of the tuberosities, have a substantial effect on patient outcomes.

Atraumatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head after influenza A-(H1N1) v-2009 vaccination

In the recent pandemic influenza A-(H1N1) v-2009 vaccination campaign, adjuvanted vaccines have been used because of their antigen-sparing effect. According to available reports, the rate of severe vaccination reactions has not increased, as compared with previous seasonal influenza vaccinations. Here we describe an adult female patient who was vaccinated with an AS03 adjuvanted split-virus vaccine injected into the left arm. She experienced a prolonged and painful local reaction for 4 weeks. During this time, persistent incapacitating pain shifted into the left shoulder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the injection site detected atraumatic humeral head osteonecrosis in conjunction with bursitis of the rotator cuff region. Clinical and laboratory examination revealed no other underlying disease. Using analgetic medication and physical therapy, resting pain completely remitted within the following 14 weeks. Pain on exertion declined within the following 6 months. Atraumatic osteonecrosis, a relatively rare disorder which initially presents non-specific clinical symptoms, has never been associated with parenteral influenza vaccination. Although the available data cannot establish a causal relationship, our patient's clinical course – with a continuous transition from increased local post-vaccination reactions to symptoms of a severe shoulder lesion with osteonecrosis – raises the question of a pathogenetic link. Considering the vascular pathogenesis of osteonecrosis, we hypothesize that our patient's enhanced local immunologic reaction may have led to regional vasculitis as the cause of bone destruction. As mild forms of osteonecrosis may have escaped previous clinical attention, it is the purpose of our report to increase awareness of this exceptional event as a possible side effect of parenteral adjuvanted vaccination.

Shoulder arthroplasty as a treatment for sequelae of proximal humeral fractures

Nonoperative treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures is associated with numerous complications such as malunion, nonunion and avascular necrosis of the humeral head. Patients with such complications frequently have pain and loss of shoulder functions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty as treatment for the sequelae of proximal humeral fractures. This study was conducted on 21 patients with complicated late proximal humeral fractures in the period between 2000 and 2006; the mean age was 59 years. Twelve patients had malunited proximal humeral fractures, 6 patients had nonunited fractures and 3 cases with humeral head osteonecrosis. Patients with complete rotator cuff tears were not included in this study. The interval between the original trauma and time of arthroplasty was 5.7 months. Shoulder hemiarthroplasty was done for 18 patients, and total arthroplasty for 3 patients. The mean follow-up period was 69 months. Results according to modified Neer’s score were 7 patients had excellent, 9 had satisfactory and 5 had unsatisfactory results. Complications were one patient with nonunited osteotomized greater tuberosity and another patient with postoperative impingement syndrome that necessitate open acromioplasty, both patients were considered unsatisfactory. This study concluded that shoulder arthroplasty as a treatment of late sequelae of proximal humeral fractures can restore most of the patients’ normal daily activities.