Background
Proximal humeral fractures in elderly osteoporotic bones represent a challenge to orthopedic surgeons; many options for treatment are now available; yet, the optimum method with best results and minimal complications is not well established.
Patients and methods
Twenty-six osteoporotic or osteopenic patients with three-part or four-part proximal humerus fractures according to the Neer classification who underwent surgical fixation with locked plates through the standard deltopectoral approach were included in the study. The clinical outcome was evaluated with the Constant–Murley score.
Results
The average Constant score corresponds to 76.5 points, and the mean patient age in this study was 61 years. The average Constant score for pain was 13 points, strength 17 points, activities of daily living 17.9 points, and range of motion 28.6 points. All 26 fractures healed with a mean time of 11.5 weeks (8–16 weeks) and were followed for an average of 17 months.
Conclusion
Locked plate fixation for three-part and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus in osteopenic or osteoporotic patients is a good and reliable method of fixation with limited complications.