Humeral component revision arthroplasty: outcomes of a split osteotomy technique

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to report results on 13 patients who underwent shoulder revision surgery of a well-fixed cemented humeral component assisted by a longitudinal split osteotomy. Limited data have been published on humeral stem revision using an osteotomy to facilitate removal of a well-fixed humeral component.Materials and methodsBetween July 1996 and July 2004, 13 humeral component revisions of well-fixed cemented stems were performed for pain and functional limitation. The patients’ preoperative and postoperative function and outcome were evaluated by physical examination, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Short Form-12 (SF-12), and radiographic assessment.ResultsAt a mean follow-up of 30 months, from preoperatively to postoperatively, the VAS pain score improved from 7.8 to 2.3 (P = .012), the ASES score improved from 19.6 to 58.9 (P < .011), the SST score improved from 1.4 to 4.6 (P < .011), and significant changes were demonstrated on the mental component of the SF-12, with improvement from 49.8 to 59.4 (P < .025). Analysis of range of motion from preoperatively to postoperatively revealed that the mean external rotation improved from 24.4° to 40° (P < .042), and mean forward elevation improved from 60.6° to 89.4°, although this change was not significant (P = .067). There were no iatrogenic fractures. Radiographic follow-up demonstrated no evidence of humeral loosening or nonunion.ConclusionsA longitudinal humeral split osteotomy is a safe and effective technique for revision of a well-fixed humeral stem.