Hemiarthroplasty as management for solitary metastasis of the proximal humerus: a retrospective study

PURPOSE: Advances in cancer treatment have prolonged survival, but the incidence of bone metastases has also increased. Shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral metastases involves major surgical trauma and uncertain functional outcomes in older patients. This study aimed to assess whether age influences prognosis and functional recovery after shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: = 28). Surgical outcomes were compared between groups, including operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pain, limb function, complications, survival, recurrence, and quality of life. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Cox regression to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients achieved survival, functional recovery, and complication rates comparable to younger patients. Prosthetic humeral head replacement is therefore a viable treatment option for isolated proximal humeral metastases in older patients.