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HomeAbout cuff tear arthropathyAbout the surgerySurgical details Ideal patient Effectiveness

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Arthroplasty in Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Surgery for shoulders with a rotator cuff tear and arthritis can lessen shoulder pain and improve function with joint replacement.

Last updated Wednesday, January 26, 2005

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About the surgery

Surgical details

The bone is smoothed so that it is congruous with the joint surface. This allows for the proximal humerus to match the cup and to articulate smoothly within it. It is very important to avoid using "oversized" humeral components, because they overstuff the joint, do not match the concavity of the cup, and restrict joint motion. In a special hemiarthroplasty, the patient is spared the necessity of protecting a rotator cuff repair, so that immediate passive and active exercises can be started after surgery. The patient is also spared the risk of glenoid loosening.

Ideal patient

The ideal patient for this procedure has a normal deltoid muscle, a concentric socket, concentric erosion of the upper glenoid fossa, a smoothed upper humerus with rounding off of the greater tuberosity, an irreparable rotator cuff defect, no previous surgery of the acromion or coracoacromial ligament, good patient motivation, and realistic expectations.

Effectiveness

In a series of ten patients having special hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy, the range of active flexion improved from 71 to 115 degrees following this procedure. In comparison to their function before surgery, 7 more could care for their perineum, reach their opposite axilla, and sleep on their affected side and 6 more could comb their hair and use the hand above shoulder level.

Disclaimer

This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

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