Relevance of the restoration of humeral length and retroversion in hemiarthroplasty for humeral head fractures

Sixteen patients, with a fracture of the upper humerus treated with hemiarthroplasty, were followed-up for 45.7 +/- 15.1 (20-72) months after surgery. The results were assessed using the Constant-Murley scale. The mean score was 75.8 +/- 15.7 (54-96) points out of a possible maximum of 100. At the time of their last follow-up they underwent CT of the fractured and contralateral humerus. Humeral length and retroversion were measured and evaluated. A very good final outcome (Constant score more than 71) was achieved in patients with a difference in retroversion less than 10 degrees and a difference in length less than 14 mm, between fractured and sound humerus. The mean difference in retroversion was 8.7 degrees and the mean difference in length was 0.65 cm, between fractured and sound humerus. We attribute the very good clinical outcome in our series to the quality of the anatomical reconstruction that was performed.