• Guido A Wanner, Elisabeth Wanner-Schmid, José Romero, Otmar Hersche, Alexander von Smekal, Otmar Trentz, and Wolfgang Ertel.
• Division of Trauma Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
• J Trauma. 2003 Mar 1; 54 (3): 536-44.

BackgroundOperative treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures often results in poor functional outcome. We report a technique that provides improved rotational stability of the fracture and thus allows early functional treatment.MethodsSeventy-one consecutive patients (67 +/- 18 years) with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus (two-part, n = 10; three-part, n = 41; four-part, n = 20) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using two one-third tubular plates on the anterior and lateral aspects of the proximal humerus. Passive motion was started on the third postoperative day, followed by actively assisted exercises on day 6.ResultsSeven patients (12%) had complications (fracture redisplacement, avascular necrosis of the humeral head, frozen shoulder, subacromial impingement, and implant loosening) that required further surgical intervention. Sixty patients (85%) were available for follow-up evaluation 17 +/- 10 months after the injury. Using the Constant score, 34% of the patients had very good results, 29% had good results, 25% had fair results, and 12% had poor results. Age (< 60 years or > or = 60 years) and fracture type had no influence on functional outcome.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the high stability of internal fixation with two one-third tubular plates that allowed early mobilization of the shoulder in all patients and emphasize this technique as a preferred treatment option for displaced fractures of the proximal humerus.

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