Anyone had a hemiarthroplasty with plastic prosthesis?

Posted by tom1536 @tom1536, Jun 6 5:31am

I had a total replacement of my left shoulder in 2012. The humeral prosthetic broke into pieces in 2021, resulting is a reverse revision. I had great success with the revision until late 2024, when I began experiencing pain in my shoulder. The glenoid prosthetic failed, owing to C.acnes infection.

I had a surgery to remove the glenoid prosthetic and a swab was taken, which proves the infection was there. I had a subsequent surgery to remove the prosthetic from my humerus, which I'm 23 days out from now. I'm on IV antibiotics for the past 4 weeks and will be for another 3 to 4 weeks.

My next surgery will be in about 6 weeks and I've been given a choice by my surgeon as to use the conventional prosthesis or to use a polycarbon humerus prosthesis with nothing in the glenoid (hemiarthroplasty), which will be one surgery and done. The conventional revision would require a surgery to take a swab for bacteria and a subsequent surgery for the replacement.

I'm leaning toward to hemiarthroplasty, but I'm concerned about range of motion after recovery. This surgery is recommended for young patients in their 40s. I'm 71, but my surgeon believes I'm a good candidate for this surgery. Has anyone had a hemiarthroplasty? What is your experience with range of motion post surgery? Thanks.

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As no one has responded, I assume that no one has experienced a hemiarthroplasty with a Pyrocarbon prosthesis. If there are any practioners out there who have employed such a prosthesis, I would appreciate your input.

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@tom1536

As no one has responded, I assume that no one has experienced a hemiarthroplasty with a Pyrocarbon prosthesis. If there are any practioners out there who have employed such a prosthesis, I would appreciate your input.

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Hi Tom. Your situation seems very unusual…at least nothing I’ve ever heard of. You might want to visit the Smart Patients site to pose your question.

http://www.smartpatients.com.

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Thanks so m much for the advice,

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