Abstract

This study assesses function after limb sparing bone tumour resections of the proximal humerus. Twenty-seven patients had an intraarticular resection with reconstruction using an anatomic prosthesis-bone graft composite with average clinical follow-up of 6.3 years (range : 1.3-15.8 years). Pain relief was achieved for 22 shoulders (81%) ; 19 of 25 patients responding (76%) were satisfied. Active elevation averaged 62°, external rotation 25°, and internal rotation to L-4. Complications included instability in 7, nonunion in 4, implant loosening in 3 of these and tumour recurrence in 1. There were 7 reoperations. Using the Neer rating, 19 primary operations (70%) were successful. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score averaged 18.5 (62%), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons functional score 18.4 (37%) with a total score of 51 (51%), and on the Simple Shoulder Test 5.4 of 12 questions were answered affirmatively. This procedure is oncologically safe. There are structural complications, notably shoulder instability. Function ratings are one-third to one-half normal.