Rehabilitation of the Patient with Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty

Nowadays, due to the progress of medicine and surgical techniques in the field of orthopedics, the prosthesis of the shoulder following cominutive fractures has become a modern treatment for traumatic injuries of the humeral surgical neck. Although shoulder arthroplasty is less common than in the knee or hip joint, it is just as important in relieving pain, regaining mobility, and restoring upper limb function. The aim of the paper was to highlight the role of physical therapy in the rehabilitation of the patient with shoulder prosthesis and to emphasize the importance of functional rehabilitation after surgery. The study included 3 male patients aged between 43 to 50 with severe humeral neck fractures who required shoulder hemiarthroplasty. We performed joint assessment, muscle testing and pain testing at the beginning of the physical therapy programs, intermediate and at the final of the rehabilitation period. The methods of functional re-education of the affected upper limb consisted in passive mobilizations, active movements, resistive exercises and neuroproprioceptive facilitation techniques, performed in order to regain the ability of the affected limb to move correctly. By comparing the initial, intermediate and final results obtained from the tests performed, this research demonstrated the effectiveness of the physical therapy programs used in the recovery of patients with shoulder hemiarthroplasty included in the study. The conclusions of the paper emphasize the need to carry out recovery programs specific to the prosthetic shoulder in accordance with the particularities of each patient, in order to reintegrate them socio-professionally.