• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.217-221
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of internal fixation with locking T-plates for osteoporotic fractures of the proximal humerus in patients aged 65 years and older. Methods: From January 2007 through to December 2015, we recruited 47 patients aged 65 years and older with osteoporotic fractures of the proximal humerus. All fractures had been treated using open reduction and internal fixation with a locking T-plate. We classified the fractures in accordance to the Neer classification system; At the final follow-up, the indicators of clinical outcome-the range of motion of the shoulder (flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation) and the presence of postoperative complications-and the indicators of radiographic outcome-the time-to-union and the neck-shaft angle of the proximal humerus-were evaluated. The Paavolainen method was used to grade the level of radiological outcome in the patients. Results: The mean flexion was $155.0^{\circ}$ (range, $90^{\circ}-180^{\circ}$), the mean internal rotation was T8 (range, T6-L2), and the mean external rotation was $66.8^{\circ}$ (range, $30^{\circ}-80^{\circ}$). Postoperative complications, such as plate impingement, screw loosening, and varus malunion were observed in five patient. We found that all patients achieved bone union, and the mean time-to-union was 13.5 weeks of the treatment. The mean neck-shaft angle was $131.4^{\circ}$ at the 6-month follow-up. According to the Paavolainen method, "good" and "fair" radiographic results each accounted for 38 and 9 of the total patients, respectively. Conclusions: We concluded that locking T-plate fixation leads to satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures by providing a larger surface area of contact with the fracture and a more rigid fixation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2022

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), first introduced as a management option for cuff tear arthropathy, is now an accepted treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures. Few studies have identified whether the outcomes of RSA for shoulder trauma are comparable to those of RSA for shoulder arthritis. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of all patients who underwent RSA at our institution between January 2013 and December 2019. In total, 49 patients met the inclusion criteria. As outcomes, we evaluated the 1-year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant shoulder scores, postoperative shoulder range of motion, intra- and postoperative complications, and cumulative revision rate. The patients were grouped based on preoperative diagnosis to compare postoperative outcomes across two broad groups. Results: The median follow-up period was 32.8 months (interquartile range, 12.6-66.6 months). The 1-year visual analog scale, range of motion, and Constant and ASES functional scores were comparable between RSAs performed to treat shoulder trauma and that performed for arthritis. The overall complication rate was 20.4%, with patients with a preoperative diagnosis of arthritis having significantly more complications than those with a preoperative diagnosis of trauma (34.8% vs. 7.7%). Conclusions: Patients who underwent RSA due to a proximal humeral fracture or dislocation did not fare worse than those who underwent RSA for arthritis at 1 year, in terms of both functional and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2013

Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographical results for the displacement of fracture fragments after interlocking intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 8 cases of humeral shaft fractures that have displacements of over 10 mm and under 20 mm after interlocking intramedullary nailing between July 2004 and August 2011. The mean age was 54.1 years (range, 43 to 70 years) and there were 3 male and 5 female patients. Radiographically, the time to bony union, change of displacement and angulation of the fracture site, and degree of improvement of these two factors were measured. Clinically, the range of motion of shoulder and elbow joints, postoperative pain and complications were evaluated. Results: All cases showed complete bony union in last follow-up. The mean time to bony union was 16.1 weeks. At the last follow-up, almost all cases had normal range of motion of shoulder and elbow joints. But, one case had stiffness of shoulder joint. Therefore, arthroscopic capsular release and manipulation was performed. One case had transient shoulder pain and the other case had transient elbow pain. In the two cases, pull-out of proximal interlocking screw were noted, but they finally had bony union. Conclusion: Although considerable displacement of fracture fragments after interlocking intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures was present, we had excellent radiographical and clinical outcomes. Therefore, an additional procedure, such as open reduction or another fixation for the fracture site, was not necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2019

Proximal humerus fracture can be defined as a fracture that occurs in the surgical neck or proximal part of the humerus. Despite the appropriate treatment, however, various complications and sequelae can occur, and the treatment is quite difficult often requiring surgical treatment, such as a shoulder replacement. The classification of sequelae after a proximal humerus fracture is most commonly used by Boileau and can be divided into two categories and four types. Category I is an intracapsular impacted fracture that is not accompanied by important distortions between the tuberosities and humeral head. An anatomic prosthesis can be used without greater tuberosity osteotomy. In category I, there are type 1 with cephalic collapse or necrosis with minimal tuberosity malunion and type 2 related to locked dislocation or fracture-dislocation. Category II is an extracapsular dis-impacted fracture with gross distortion between the tuberosities and the humeral head. To perform an anatomic prosthesis, a tuberosity osteotomy should be performed. In category II, there are type 3 with nonunion of the surgical neck and type 4 with severe tuberosity malunion. In type 1, non-constrained arthroplasty (NCA) without a tuberosity osteotomy should be considered as a treatment. On the other hand, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) should be considered if types 1C or 1D accompanied by valgus or varus deformity or severe fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff. In general, the results are satisfactory when NCA is performed in type 2 sequelae. On the other hand, RSA can be considered as an option when there is no bony defect of the glenoid and a defect of the rotator cuff is accompanied. In type 3, it would be effective to perform internal fixation with a bone wedge graft rather than shoulder replacement arthroplasty. Recent reports on the results of RSA are also increasing. On the other hand, recent reports suggest that good results are obtained with RSA in type 3. In type 4, RSA should be considered as a first option.

• 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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2010

Injury of the musculocutanous nerve can be associated with a proximal humeral fracture or shoulder dislocation, and injury of the brachial plexus. However, injury of this nerve associated with a humeral shaft fracture has rarely been reported. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury is difficult because its sensory loss is ill-defined, and examination of elbow flexion is difficult when it is associated with fractures. We report an unusual case of musculocutaneous nerve injury in a 27 years old woman who had multiple injuries including a humerus shaft fracture, an ipsilateral radius shaft fracture, and an associated radial nerve laceration. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury was delayed because combined fractures of the humerus and radius prevented proper examination of the elbow motion and nerve grafting of the radial nerve delayed early elbow motion exercise. Delayed exploration of the musculocutaneous nerve 6 months after trauma showed complete rupture of the nerve at its entry into the coracobrachialis muscle and the defect was successfully managed by sural nerve graft.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.204-211
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the result and complication of treatment using Locking Compression Plate (LCP) for fracture of proximal humerus. Materials and Methods: Between 2004 and 2006, 21 patients with two-part and three-part fractures of the proximal humerus were treated by LCP fixation. Their average age was 54.9 years. Postoperative mean follow-up period was 22.9 months. The reduction was qualified and complication were assessed with final radiographs. The functional outcome was evaluated by Neer's rating system. Results: By Neer's functional evaluation, mean score of shoulder function was 86.3 and 18 case (86%) had excellent or satisfactory results. There was one case of nonunion but no infection or avascular necrosis of the humeral head. No correlation was found between the final result and the type of fracture, age, gender or quality of reduction. Conclusion: We obtained satisfactory result of LCP fixation for fracture of proximal humerus in this study. LCP fixation for proximal humerus fracture is a reliable method to obtain satisfactory reduction, rigid fixation and early exercise.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: The execution of fibular allograft augmentation in unstable proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) was technically demanding. In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes after tricortical iliac allograft (TIA) augmentation in PHFs. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 38 PHF patients treated with locking-plate fixation and TIA augmentation. Insertion of a TIA was indicated when an unstable PHF showed a large cavitary defect and poor medial column support after open reduction, regardless of the presence of medial cortical comminution in preoperative images. Radiographic imaging parameters (humeral head height, HHH; humeral neck-shaft angle, HNSA; head mediolateral offset, HMLO; and status of the union), Constant score, and range of motion were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to whether the medial column support after open reduction was poor or not (groups A and B, respectively); clinical outcomes were compared for all parameters. Results: All fractures healed radiologically (average duration to complete union, 5.8 months). At final evaluation, the average Constant score was 73 points and the mean active forward flexion was $148^{\circ}$. Based on the Paavolainen assessment method, 33 patients had good results and 5 patients showed fair results. The mean loss of reduction was 1.32 mm in HHH and 5.02% in HMLO. None of the parameters evaluated showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (poor and not poor medial column support). Conclusions: In unstable PHFs, TIA augmentation can provide good clinical and radiological results when there are poor medial column support and a large cavitary defect after open reduction.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2013

We report a case of recurrent shoulder dislocation and combined proximal humerus fracture in neurofibromatosis type I. A twenty-year-old male patient with known neurofibromatosis type I presented with right shoulder dislocation and proximal humerus fracture following a minor trauma. His injured arm also had large plexiform neurofibromas on the elbow, and the dislocation of the shoulder joint was proven to be recurrent. Bony deformation of the humerus and scapula were revealed on X-ray and computed tomography, as well as multiple neurofibromatic changes of the deltoid and periscapular muscles were noted on magnetic resonance imaging. Open reduction and capsular reconstruction were performed and humeral fracture was stabilized with a reconstruction plate. Satisfactory union and functional result were achieved and the dislocation did not recur until the 7-month followup after the procedure. Recurrent shoulder dislocation and combined proximal humerus fracture in neurofibromatosis type I are rare complications. However, it should still be considered in the orthopaedic evaluation process of the diseases.