--- title: "Partial Shoulder Replacement for Fractures | Dr. Avi Chezar" description: "Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) for complex upper humerus fractures: when it is used, how it is done, recovery, complications and implants." canonical: https://www.catef4u.com/en/partial-shoulder-replacement translation-of: https://www.catef4u.com/partial-shoulder-replacement last-updated: 2026-11-03 language: en source: catef4u.com --- # Shoulder Fracture Treatment: Partial Joint Replacement > Partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) for complex upper humerus fractures: when it is used, how it is done, recovery, complications and implants. Hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the proximal humerus ## In brief Summarized and reviewed by Dr. Avi Chezar, shoulder surgery specialist, Assuta Haifa and RMC Afula. **What it is:** Partial replacement of the shoulder joint: only the head of the humerus is replaced with a metal implant, and the glenoid (the opposing bone) is left in place. The implant is made of titanium in the part fixed to the bone, with a cobalt-chrome head. **When:** The operation is intended for a complex fracture with significant displacement, where the chance of successful fixation is small, when the head of the humerus is completely detached. A condition for the operation is that the shoulder tendons are in good condition, and it is usually suitable above age 60. **Diagnosis:** X-ray and CT to classify the fracture and plan the right implant size. **The surgery:** The broken head of the humerus is removed, an artificial implant is inserted and the pieces of the tuberosities are fixed with sutures – an open operation. After 3–4 weeks in a sling, reasonable daily function can be expected within 3 months and relatively good function within 6 months. This article covers fractures of the upper arm bone, the humerus, at the shoulder. There are several options for surgical treatment of a shoulder fracture; this article covers partial replacement of the joint for a shoulder fracture. ## What is a partial joint replacement? The broken bone is replaced with a metal implant. Only the head of the humerus is replaced, and the bone opposite it (the glenoid) is not, which is why the operation is called a partial joint replacement. ![Illustration of partial shoulder replacement (hemiarthroplasty) for a fracture of the humerus: an implant with a metal head, with the tuberosities stitched around it with sutures](https://www.catef4u.com/img/Hemi-Arthroplasty-for-fractures-of-proximal-Humerus.webp) *Partial shoulder replacement for a fracture: an implant with a metal head, with the tuberosities stitched around it. Select the image for the English explanation.* ## When is a partial joint replacement performed? The operation is performed for a fracture with significant displacement, when it is judged that the chance of successfully fixing the fracture is small. The common situation is a fracture in which the head of the humerus is completely detached from the other parts (see the article on [fractures of the humerus](https://www.catef4u.com/en/humerus-fracture)). The aim is to perform the operation only at a relatively older age, and not before age 60. The younger the patient, the more we prefer to fix the fracture, even if the chance of success is low. A condition for the operation is that the shoulder tendons are in good condition. If the tendons are not in good condition, or the patient is older, above age 75, we will consider a total replacement with a reverse shoulder implant (see the article on [reverse replacement for fractures](https://www.catef4u.com/en/reverse-shoulder-fracture)). ## What is the goal of the operation? The goal of the operation is to replace the head of the humerus with a metal implant and to fix the other parts of the fracture to the implant and to the humerus, so as to allow the best possible shoulder function. This is usually a complex injury, and even after surgery some limitation of shoulder function is expected. ## How is the operation performed? The operation is done with an open technique, that is, through an incision at the front or the side of the shoulder. It is performed under general anesthesia, usually combined with regional anesthesia. - **The first stage of the operation** is the approach: through the incision the fracture area is reached and the broken parts are identified. - **The second stage**: the head of the humerus is removed and the artificial implant is inserted. - **The third stage**: the remaining parts of the tuberosities (the area of bone where the rotator cuff tendons attach) are fixed. Usually sutures are used to stitch the parts into place. - **The fourth stage**: the layers and the skin are closed. In certain situations a tube is left to drain blood and fluid from the fracture area. The arm is immobilized in a sling. ## What happens after the operation? Usually the arm is immobilized in a sling for about 3–4 weeks, and then physiotherapy begins. In the first months function is relatively limited and the movements are mainly passive. Reasonable daily function can be expected after about 3 months, and relatively good function after about 6 months. Shoulder function keeps improving during the first year after surgery, and slowly after that as well. Keep in mind that in any case some restriction of movement is expected even at the end of rehabilitation. ## What are the risks and complications? Some complications can occur during the operation: injury to blood vessels, injury to nerves, and complications related to general anesthesia. The risk of an anesthesia complication depends on the patient's underlying illnesses and age. Late complications include: dislocation of the shoulder, restricted movement after the operation, and infection. ## What is the treatment if there is a complication? When there is loss of function after the operation, or a dislocation, a further operation is usually needed, replacing the implant with a reverse shoulder implant (see the article on [reverse shoulder replacement](https://www.catef4u.com/en/reverse-shoulder-replacement)). To make conversion from a standard shoulder to a reverse shoulder easier, it is standard to use a humeral implant that can be converted to a reverse shoulder without having to remove it. ## What is the implant made of? Today most systems are made of a combination of titanium in the part fixed to the bone and a metal head made of a cobalt-chrome alloy. ## Will the implant set off the alarm at the airport? It quite possibly will. If it does, show the surgical scar and explain that you have had an operation. ## Further reading from leading medical sources - [Shoulder Joint Replacement — OrthoInfo (AAOS)](https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/shoulder-joint-replacement/) – Shoulder joint replacement – including partial replacement (hemiarthroplasty) --- Canonical HTML: https://www.catef4u.com/en/partial-shoulder-replacement Hebrew original: https://www.catef4u.com/partial-shoulder-replacement Site index for agents: https://www.catef4u.com/llms.txt _This Markdown is the text-only variant of the page above, served for `Accept: text/markdown`. It is an English translation of Dr. Avi Chezar's Hebrew page. Medical information here is general and does not replace a personal consultation._