Depending on the condition of your shoulder, your surgeon may replace only the head of the humerus with a metal ball and stem, similar to the component used in a total shoulder replacement.
Stemmed hemiarthroplasty is recommended when:
- The humeral head is severely fractured or arthritic, but the socket is normal
- There is rotator cuff tear arthropathy and a total shoulder replacement would likely fail over time
Consult with an experienced orthopedic surgeon who performs shoulder joint replacement so see if a stemmed hemiarthroplasty is an appropriate surgery for your condition.