• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2009

Purpose: We assessed the radiographic and clinical results of one surgeon's experience treating proximal humerus fractures with a locked proximal humeral plate. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with unstable proximal humerus fractures were treated with a locking compression plate between February 2005 and September 2007. The average age of the patients was 60.6 years, and the average postoperative follow-up period was 22.3 months. The clinical results were evaluated using the Constant and DASH scores. The radiologic results were evaluated by the Paavolainen method, which measures the neck shaft angle and humeral head height. Results: At the last follow-up examination, the mean Constant score was 75.3 and 15 cases (75%) had excellent or good results; the mean DASH score was 16.4. The mean neck shaft angle was $137.1^{\circ}$, and 19 cases (95%) had good results by the Paavolainen method. There was one delayed union, malunion, and screw loosening. Conclusion: The patients treated with a locking compression plate had relatively good clinical and radiologic results, and a low complication rate. Moreover, the patients could exercise earlier due to good reduction and initial stability. Treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures with a locking compression plate is a reliable method.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Purpose: We examined the clinical and radiological outcomes for displaced proximal humerus fractures that were treated with a PHILOS angular stable plate. Materials and Method: Forty four patients who underwent surgery between March 2007 and February 2010 were included in this study. All the cases were followed up for an average of 12 months. All the patients were examined and interviewed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Constant score and standardized X-rays to check the neck-shaft angle (NSA) and the presence of medial support. Results: The average Visual Analog Scale score was 2.8 points and the average Constant score was 70.5 points. The average neck shaft angle was $122.5^{\circ}$ and this was statistically significant between the good result group and the poor result group. There were 36 cases of the presence of medial support and 8 cases of the absence of medial support and the difference was statistically significant. Complications such as fixation failure happened in 12 cases. Conclusion: PHILOS angular stable plate fixation as an operative treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures is a good and reliable treatment option.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Purpose: The clinical and radiographic outcomes of the internal fixation, which were executed on patients over the age of 65 with proximal humerus fracture by using a polyaxial angular stable locking compression plate (Non-Contact-Bridging proximal humerus plate, Zimmer, Switzerland, NCB), were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients over the age of 65 among the proximal humerus fracture treated with NCB plate, between August 2007 and January 2011, were chosen as the subjects. The average age of patients was 71 years, and the average postoperative follow-up period was 11.5 months. The fractures included 14 two-part and 18 three-part fractures. The clinical results were evaluated, using the visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Constant score. The radiological results were evaluated by time to union and Paavolainen method, which measures the neck shaft angle. Results: At the last follow-up examination, the mean VAS score was 3 points and the mean Constant score was 64.5 points, with bone union achieved after the average of 16.2 weeks following the surgery in all the cases. The mean neck shaft angle was 125.9 and 24 cases had good results, while 8 cases had fair results by Paavolainen method, at the last follow-up. There were 1 case of delayed union and cerclage wire failure, and 3 cases of subacromial impingement. There were no complications, such as loss of reduction, nonunion, screw loosening, or avascular necrosis of the humeral head. Conclusion: Internal fixation, using a NCB plate, was considered to be an effective surgical method in treating proximal humerus fracture in the elderly patients, on whom the fixation of the fracture and maintenance of reduction are difficult.