What is a Periprosthetic Shoulder Fracture?
A periprosthetic shoulder fracture is a fracture that occurs in the bone adjacent to a shoulder prosthesis.
Risk Factors for a Periprosthetic Shoulder Fracture
The risks factors for a periprosthetic shoulder fracture are:
- Reduced bone mineral density (osteoporosis or osteopenia)
- Female sex
- Advanced age
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Classification of Periprosthetic Shoulder Fractures
Periprosthetic fractures can be classified based on the location of the fracture in relation to the implant stem tip within the arm bone (humerus).
- Type A: Fracture is present near the stem tip, extending towards the shoulder
- Type B: Fracture is present near the stem tip, extending towards the elbow
- Type C: Fracture is present away from the stem tip towards the elbow
Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Shoulder Fractures
Your doctor will perform a careful physical exam to ensure blood vessels and nerves passing near the fracture site have not been injured. Imaging studies such as X-rays and CT scans may also be ordered to evaluate implant stability, bone quality, and soft tissues.
Fixation of Periprosthetic Shoulder Fractures
Nonoperative treatment with a fracture brace may be an option if:
- The fracture is located below the implant stem tip
- There is acceptable fracture alignment
- The prosthesis is well fixed
When the fracture line crosses the tip of the prosthesis and extends towards the elbow, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the fracture may be required. This can be achieved with the surgical placement of plates and screws or surgical wires to stabilize the fracture. Replacement with a long-stemmed implant that extends beyond the fracture line may also be required.
A revision surgery to replace the implant should be considered when the fracture line encompasses most of the shoulder prosthesis or if there is loosening of the prosthesis.
Prognosis of Periprosthetic Shoulder Fracture Fixation
Overall, the prognosis is good as many cases can be treated nonoperatively. However, the fixation of periprosthetic shoulder fractures can be very complicated, and each case is treated individually, depending on the severity of the fracture and the condition of the prosthesis.
Other Shoulder Procedures
Rotator Cuff Procedures
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Superior Capsule & Anterior Rotator Cable repair: Recouplage
- REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant
- Rotium Implant
- Proximal Biceps Tenodesis
- Transosseous Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
- Subacromial Decompression
- Mumford Distal Clavicle Excision
- Revision Rotator Cuff Surgery
- Superior Capsule Reconstruction with Fascia Lata autograft
- In Space Balloon for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears
- Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer
- Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer
Instability Procedures
- Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
- SLAP Repair
- Latarjet Procedure
- Revision Open Labral Repair (Revision Bankart)
- AC Joint Repair
Frozen Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis Procedures
Shoulder Arthritis Procedures
- Viscosupplementation for Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Joint Replacement
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Resurfacing
Fracture Shoulder Procedures
- ORIF of the Clavicle Fractures
- Proximal Humerus Fractures
- ORIF of the Scapula Fractures
- Complex Fracture Repair of the Shoulder
- Nonunion Fixation of a Shoulder Fracture
- Malunion Surgery of the Shoulder
- Periprosthetic Shoulder Fracture Fixation