Background
Proximal humeral fractures account for ~5% of all fractures. Many different techniques have been described for the treatment of comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus. To decrease the incidence of complications, particularly fixation failure and loss of stability, new plating techniques such as the Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) have been developed.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome after combined osteosynthesis and osteosuture for proximal humeral fractures.
Patients and methods
Twenty patients (eight men and 12 women) underwent surgical treatment for proximal humerus fractures using proximal humeral locking plate for fixation (not original PHILOS plate). The mean age of the patients was 62.4 years.
Results
Of the 20 patients, anatomic or near-anatomic reduction was obtained in 17 patients (85%). All fractures united in a mean of 3 months (range 2–5 months). None of the patients had avascular necrosis, implant failure, superficial or deep infection, or neurovascular injury. The mean constant score for all patients was 77.
Conclusion
The results showed that rigid fixation of the proximal humeral fractures using locking plate with preservation of the vascularity of the fracture fragments of the humeral head through minimal soft tissue dissection and preservation of soft tissue of fracture fragments were important in decreasing the complications following surgical treatment of the proximal humeral fractures.