Surface Replacement: The Hemicap Solution

Partial resurfacing of the humeral head with the Hemicap implant has recently become available. Previously, the use of resurfacing in the glenohumeral joint has been used for the treatment of osteoarthritis, cuff tear arthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and avascular necrosis. The technique has provided significant pain relief as well as improved function in all pathologies in the available short to midterm follow-up studies. The advent of the Hemicap implant provides the treating physician with an option of a more limited resurfacing for focal defects, such as those occurring with avascular necrosis and Hill-Sachs and reverse Hill Sachs lesions from instability.