Outcomes of Extended Head Hemiarthroplasty for
Cuff Tear Arthropathy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of extended head hemiarthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). Five patients with cuff tear arthropathy, whose average age was 70.0 years old, were the subjects of this study. There were 4 female and 1 male. On the types of CTA according to Seebauer's classification, 1-a was observed in one patient, 2-a in two patients, and 2-b in one patient. All patients were treated with Depuy-Mitek Advantage Shoulder System with extended head. Humeral stem was fixed using bone cement in all of the patients. Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the JOA score and postoperative X-ray findings. The average follow-up period was 9.5 months. The average JOA score improved significantly from 58.8 points preoperatively to 80.8 points postoperatively. Regarding the shoulder range of motion, abduction improved from 111° preoperatively to 126° postoperatively, flexion from 110° to 118° and external rotation from 31° to 41°. There was no significant improvement of muscle strength around the shoulder. Loosening of the humeral stem and late infection were not observed at the final follow-up. This study suggests that hemiarthroplasty with extended head is a definite procedure to obtain satisfactory outcomes. However, the procedure may provide poor outcomes to some patients with motor weakness. Therefore, indication of hemiarthroplasty with extended head should be treated with caution in patients with motor weakness.