• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Background: The treatment approach for proximal humeral fractures is determined by various factors, including patient age, sex, dominant arm, fracture pattern, presence of osteoporosis, preexisting arthritis, rotator cuff status, and medical comorbidities. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the optimal treatment for displaced proximal humeral fractures. This study aimed to assess and quantify the decision-making process for either conservative or surgical treatment and the choice of surgical method among shoulder surgeons when treating proximal humeral fractures. Methods: Forty sets of true anteroposterior view, scapular Y projection view, and three-dimensional computed tomography of proximal humeral fractures were provided to 12 shoulder surgeons along with clinical information. Surveys regarding Neer classification, decisions between conservative and surgical treatments, and chosen methods were conducted twice with an interval of 2 months. The factors affecting the treatment plans were also assessed. Results: The inter-rater agreement was fair for Neer classification (kappa=0.395), moderate for the decision between conservative and surgical treatments (kappa=0.528), and substantial for the chosen method of surgical treatment (kappa=0.740). The percentage of agreement was 71.1% for Neer classification, 84.6% for the decision between conservative and surgical treatment, and 96.4% for the chosen method of surgical treatment. The fracture pattern was the most crucial factor in deciding between conservative and surgical treatments, followed by age and physical activity. Conclusions: The decision between conservative and surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures showed good agreement, while the chosen method between osteosynthesis and arthroplasty showed substantial agreement among shoulder surgeons.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2003

Purpose: to determine the results after open intramedullary nailing and tension band suture technique in proximal humerus fracture for improving the stability and decreasing the complications. Materials and Method: Authors reviewed 27 patients treated by open intramedullary nailing and tension band suture technique. Mean follow-up period was 39 months (24-59months). Surgical neck fracture were 6 cases, surgical neck fracture with shaft fracture were 3 cases, three part fracture with greater tuberosity fracture were 17 cases, four part fracture was 1 case and fracture and dislocation were 2 cases Results: We got the bony union in 26 cases. Average pain scale was 1 point (0-6), Neer score was 86 point(45-99) and ASES score was 85 point(40-100). We separate all cases in two groups based on age (65 years), L-spine t-score (-2.5) and Neer classification (2 and 3 part). There is no significance in pain scale, Neer score and ASES score between each group. Conclusion: As a method of surgical treatment on severe proximal humeral fractures, we recommend intramedullary nailing and tension band suture technique and it may have particular advantages in early exercise and satisfactory functional outcome.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2024

Background: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a locking plate is a popular surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures (PHF). This study aimed to assess the occurrence of complications in elderly patients with PHF treated surgically using ORIF with a locking plate and to investigate the potential differences between patients treated by shoulder surgeons and non-shoulder surgeons. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using a single-center database to identify patients aged ≥70 years who underwent ORIF for PHF between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. Data on the Neer classification, follow-up, occurrence of avascular necrosis of the humeral head, implant failure, and revision surgery were also collected. Statistical analyses were performed to calculate the overall frequency of complications according to the Neer classification. Results: The rates of implant failure, avascular osteonecrosis, and revision surgery were 15.7%, 4.8%, and 15.7%, respectively. Complications were more common in patients with Neer three- and four-part fractures. Although the difference between surgeries performed by shoulder surgeons and non-shoulder surgeons did not reach statistical significance, the rate of complications and the need for revision surgery were nearly two-fold higher in the latter group. Conclusions: PHF are highly prevalent in the elderly population. However, the ORIF surgical approach, as demonstrated in this study, is associated with a considerable rate of complications. Surgeries performed by non-shoulder surgeons had a higher rate of complications and a more frequent need for revision surgery. Future studies comparing surgical treatments and their respective complication rates are crucial to determine the optimal therapeutic options. Level of evidence: III.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated the results of conservative treatment for simple bone cyst. Materials and Methods: We studied 126 cases of simple bone cyst, which were treated by observation or steroid injection from February 1990 to May 2010. Their mean age at diagnosis was 14 years (${\pm}9$ years, 2-60 years) and the mean follow-up duration for this study were 41 months (${\pm}37$ months, 12-159 months). Observation and steroid injection was applied for conservative management of simple bone cyst and results was scored by modified Neer classification. Results: 31 cases (24.6%) were treated by observation and 95 cases (75.4%) were treated by steroid injection. The 95 patients were treated by a mean of 1.1 (${\pm}0.9$, 0-4) steroid injections and a single steroid injection was given in 65 cases (51.6%). The 102 cases (80.9%) were resulted in modified Neer classification I and II which could be considered as healing of simple bone cyst. Conclusion: Conservative management can be considered as an initial treatment for simple bone cyst with good result.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 1998

The comminuted fracture and dislocation of the proximal humerus occur more frequently in older patient group and operative treatment is difficult due to poor bone quality. Based on Neer's work, hemiarthroplasty has now become widly accepted for the management of the three-part fracture and four-part fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus in old age group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate function, pain relief, and patient satisfaction after hemiarthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures and dislocations. Authors reviewed and analyzed 14 prosthetic replacement in comminuted proximal humeral fracture and dislocation at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine from March, 1988 to May, 1997. The results were as follows the average age was 58.9years and the ratio of males and females was 5:9. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident(43%). According to the classification of Neer, three part fracture were three(21%), four-part fracture and four-part fracture-dislocation were eleven(79%). The prosthetic replacement was performed within two weeks in eight patient and six were performed after two weeks. The results were analysed according to Neer's criteria and five cases showed satisfactory results. We concluded that hemiarthroplasty for fracture and dislocation of the proximal humerus facilitated the restoration of humerus length and pain relief, thereby allowing earlier motion to prevent the development of painful shoulder: stiffness.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the results of MIPPO (minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis) technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of 13 patients who were treated by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures from Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2003. The average age was 46.7 years and mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. According to AO classification, there were 8 cases of A1, 3 cases of A2, 1 case of B1 and 1 case of C2. One case of A1 was a Gustilo-Anderson type I open fracture and fibular fractures were combined in 12 cases. We applied anatomical reduction and internal fixation for the fibular fractures and internal fixation on the medial side of the tibia by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Clinical results were evaluated using radiographic results, Neer score, the starting time of postoperative exercise and clinical complications. Results: According to the Neer score, all cases showed satisfactory results. Active ankle ROM was started at average 2.4 weeks ($2{\sim}4$ weeks) and full weight bearing ambulation at average 5.2 weeks ($4{\sim}8$ weeks) postoperatively. Union of fractures was obtained by average 14.4 weeks ($8{\sim}18$ weeks) postoperatively. Two cases showed $5^{\circ}$ limitation of motion without functional deficits and other cases showed satisfactory ROM results. One case had $6^{\circ}$ valgus deformity without functional deficits. There were not any other complications like soft tissue problems and delayed-or non-union. Conclusion: MIPPO technique for the treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures is a feasible technique with a good clinical outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 1998

Unstable fractures of the proximal humerus continue to be difficult problems for orthopaedic surgeons. The optimum treatment of these fractures has remained a matter of controversy. We analyzed the clinical results of open reduction and plate fixation underwent for patients of unstable fractures of proximal humerus after minimum 12 months follow up. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of open reduction and rigid plate fixation. Twenty-two patients were managed with open reduction and plate fixation. Mean follow up duration was 20.6 months(range, 12 to 28 mon.). Because the age of patient as a maker of degree of osteoporosis was considered the key factor in the success of anatomic reconstruction, we divided into two groups according to age. Group A was comprised of 12 cases with younger than 50 yrs of age. Ten cases of older than 50 yrs of age were Group B. According to Neer's classification, five cases(22%) were two part fracture, 12 cases(64%) were three part fracture, and three cases(14%) were four part fracture. We used the Neer rating system for evaluating the results. In Group A, overall scores were 79.1. In Group B, overall scores were 76.8. Overall scores in two part fracture were 85, overall scores in three part fracture 78.4 and overall scores in three part fracture 68.3. We achieved excellent or good results in nine cases(75%) of Group A and seven cases(70%) of Group B. Also, we obtained excellent or good results in all cases of two part fracture, ten cases(71%) of three fracture and one case(33%) of four part fracture. The complications were three metal loosening, one avascular necrosis of humeral head, one severe stiff shoulder, one superficial wound infection and one ectopic ossification. The results were excellent or good in 16 cases(73%) out of 22 cases. In conclusion, rigid fixation and supervised early exercise would be a good option for unstable fracture of the proximal humerus.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2007

Introduction: The treatment of proximal humeral fracture is traditionally determined by Neer's classification system. The severely displaced three-part or four-part fracture is an indication for primary hemiarthroplasty. The current authors report the clinical results of 10 patients who received hemiarthroplasty for proximal comminuted fractures. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months. Materials and Methods: The current authors studied 10 patients who, between July 1999 and March 2005, each received hemiarthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture of one shoulder. According to Neer's classification system, 5 of the patients had three-part fractures, and 5 of the patients had 4-part fractures. The mean interval between trauma and hemiarthroplasty was 6.1 days. The mean age of the 6 female and 4 male patients was 67.4 years(range: 56 to 76). Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant score, the Simple Shoulder Test, and the modified UCLA score. Results: The mean Constant score was 51.4(range: 34 to 60). The mean modified SST score was 7.8 out of 12 tasks. Excluding the one patient who had also sustained an axillary artery rupture and a brachial plexus injury after the initial trauma, the mean Constant score for the remaining 9 patients was 53.5(range: 44 to 60), and the mean SST score was 7.2 tasks. The modified UCLA score averages for pain, function, and active forward flexion and strength were, respectively, 8.2($6{\sim}10$), 6.6($2{\sim}8$), and 6.9($4{\sim}8$). The total UCLA score was an average of 21.7($12{\sim}26$). Patients' the modified UCLA ratings were as follows: Excellent: 3, Good: 6, and Poor: 1. The patient with the poor outcome was the one who had also sustained the neurovascular injury. Patient's subjective satisfaction rating were as follows: Excellent: 2, Good: 7, and Poor: 1. Conclusion: Based on short term follow-up results, this study indicates that hemiarthroplasty is the treatment of choice for proximal humeral fractures on which it would be difficult to perform open reduction and internal fixation. Hemiarthroplasty is a useful treatment modality to prevent shoulder stiffness and to allow daily living tasks in elderly patients. However, restoration of muscle power and range of joint motion were not recovered satisfactorily.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of steroid injection for treatment of simple bone cyst in adults. Materials and Methods: 11 patients who were able to be followed up from February 1998 to February 2003. These lesions were attained by needle aspiration or trepanation and 80 mg to 200 mg of Depo-medrol (methylprednisolone acetate, Shin Poong Pharm. Co., Korea) was injected. The follow-up roentgenograms were done every 2 weeks, and if there were no evidence of recovery, re-injection was done 8 weeks later. Injection has done maximally 5 times, and we evaluated the result with modified Neer, Pentimalli, Scaglietti and Sandra classification. Results: There were no cases in which one Injection was enough for full recovery, and 3 cases after 2 injections, 3 cases after 3 injections, 2 case after 5 injections had good result. but 2 cases after more than 5 injections did not show improvements and are currently under observation. One case showed a increase in size of the bone cyst after 2 injections of steroid and underwent curettage and autogenous bone graft. Overall outcomes by Pentimalli classification were good in One case, fair in 7 cases and poor in 3 cases at final follow-up. Conclusion: Local injection of steroids is effective method in adults and can be considered as a first line treatment modality.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.168-175
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• 2003

Fracture about proximal humerus may be classified as the articular segment or the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, the lesser tuberosity, and the shaft or surgical neck. Now, usually used, Neer's classification is based on the number of segments displaced, over 1cm of displaced or more than 45 degrees of angulation , rather than the number of fracture line . Absolute indication of a operative treatment a open fracture, the fracture with vascular injury or nerve injury , and unreductable fracture-dislocation . Inversely, the case that are severe osteoporosis, and eldly patient who can't be operated by strong internal fixation is better than arthroplasty used by primary prosthetic replacement and early rehabilitation program than open reduction and internal fixation. The operator make a decision for the patient who should be taken the open reduction and internal fixation, because it's different that anatomical morphology, bone density, condition of patient. The operator decide operation procedure. For example, percutaneous pinning, open reduction, plate & screws, wire tension bands combined with some intramedullary device are operation procedure that operator can decide . The poor health condition for other health problem, fracture with unstable vital sign and severe osteoporosis , are the relative contraindication. The stable fracture without dislocation is not the operative indication . The radiologic film of the prokimal humerus before the operation can not predict for fracture evaluation. It's necessary to good radiologic film for evaluation of fracture form. The trauma serise is better than the other radiologic film for evaluation. The accessary radiologic exam is able to help for evaluation of bone fragment and anatomy. The CT can be helpful in evaluating these injury, especially if the extract fracture type cannot be determined from plain roenterogram of the proximal humerus, bone of humerus head. If the dislocation is severe anatomically , we could consider to do three dimentional remodelling. The MRI doing for observing of bony morphology before the operation is not better than CT If we were suspicious of vascular injury, we could consider the angiography.