Humeral Head Surface Replacement in the Young and Active Patient

Humeral head surface replacement provides an alternative to conventional stemmed humeral arthroplasty. This procedure has specific advantages in the young, athletic population. Humeral head resurfacing is a relatively simple technique which preserves bone, avoids insertion of a stem, and provides for a relatively straight forward revision without need for stem removal, should the need arise in the future for revision to a total shoulder arthroplasty. This article discusses our indications and preferred surgical technique for humeral head surface replacement.