• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Aug 2022

    High bone union rate using a locking plate for proximal humeral fractures in patients older than 70 years: importance of the medial column.

    • Won Chul Shin, Suk-Woong Kang, Seung Min Son, Jae Seung Seo, and Min Hyeok Choi.
    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Resarch Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 626-770, Republic of Korea.
    • Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Aug 1; 48 (4): 2937-2942.

    PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures using a locking plate in patients aged > 70 years.MethodsBetween September 2010 and March 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological outcomes of 56 patients aged > 70 years who underwent locking plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures. We analyzed bone union, neck-shaft angle, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, range of motion (compared to that of the opposite side), and complications. Further, clinical and radiological results of unstable medial column fractures were investigated.ResultsFifty-four patients (96.2%) achieved bone union. The mean time to bone union was 14.7 ± 1.2 weeks, and the mean neck-shaft angle was 126.4° ± 14.2°. The mean UCLA shoulder score was 22.4 ± 6.5. The mean forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation angles were 129.2° ± 19.4°, 112.3° ± 14.8°, and 44.2° ± 18.5°, respectively, with internal rotation to L2/3 (S-T11). The range of motion was significantly different from that in the opposite shoulder motion. Unstable medial column fractures led to a significant loss in the neck-shaft angle compared with fractures with an intact medial cortex.ConclusionFor the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures in patients aged > 70 years, using a locking plate helped achieve a high bone union rate with relatively satisfactory results. However, the prevalence of unstable medial column fracture was high. Clinical and radiological outcomes were poor in these patients. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately understand the fracture pattern prior to surgery, and various surgical methods, including conservative treatment, should be considered.© 2021. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

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