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

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 2023

The surgical approach for humeral implant failure can be challenging due to neurovascular anatomy and the possible necessity of osteosynthesis removal. We present a rare case of humeral nail bending after secondary trauma in a patient with preexistent nonunion of the humerus after intramedullary nailing. During revision surgery, the nail was sawed in half and the distal part was removed, followed by plate osteosynthesis with cable fixation to achieve absolute stability. The patient regained a full range of motion 1 year after surgery, and complete healing of the fracture was seen on imaging.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.47-51
• /
• 2015

Iatrogenic damage of the rotator cuff followed by postoperative shoulder function loss is a potential complication after antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) for a humeral fracture. The authors present a case of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression of a non-healed rotator cuff tendon (mainly supraspinatus) and secondary impingement syndrome caused either by the tear or a proud nail after AIN for a mid-shaft humeral fracture. At presentation, the patient complained of right shoulder pain and 'snapping', especially during forward elevation and abduction of the shoulder, of 4 years duration. Right shoulder pain started sometime after pain due to the humeral shaft fracture, operation had subsided, and persisted after nail removal. Arthroscopic findings showed a longitudinal rotator cuff tear at the nail entry point that had not healed and severe fibrous hypertrophy on the acromion underspace, which is a unique finding since most longitudinal splits of tendon fibers are more likely to heal than conventional rotator cuff tears detached from bone. The torn rotator cuff was repaired after debridement and placing side-to-side sutures. At his 34-month follow-up after rotator cuff repair, the patient showed complete recovery and had excellent clinical scores.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.20-25
• /
• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate functional results and study factors influencing results after humeral hemiarthroplasty for comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 12 patients with average follow-up period of 23 months(12 to 42). The proximal humeral fractures consisted of one anatomical neck fracture, five three-part and six four-part fractures or fracture-dislocations. Constant score and Compito et al' evaluation system were used for clinical assessment. Statistical analysis was done with the Wilcoxon test. Results: Six cases of anatomical neck, three-part fractures or fracture-dislocations showed 61 points on the average Constant score and three unsatisfactory results on the Compito et al' evaluation; Six of four-part fractures or fracture-dislocations showed 51 points and three unsatisfactory results. There were 59(two unsatisfactory) for five non-associated dislocation and 53(four unsatistactory) for seven associated dislocation; 66(one unsatisfactory) for three under 60 years and 41(five unsatisfactory) for nine over 60 years; 67(two unsatisfactory) for seven tuberosity union and 41(four unsatisfactory) for five tuberosity non-union or resorption; 58(four unsatisfactory) for ten early operation within two weeks and 43(all unsatisfactory) for two delayed operation; and 18(unsatisfactory) for one case of a accompanied rotator cuff tear. Conclusion: We concluded that tuberosity union was important factor influencing the results. Also, we thought that age, timing of operation and accompanied rotator cuff tear could be influenced to results.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.129-138
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Due to recent advances in internal fixation techniques, instrumentation and orthopedic implants there is an increasing number of humeral shaft fracture treated operatively. As a consequence, an increased number nonunion after operative fixation are being referred to our center. The aim of this study is to report the common error during osteosynthesis that may have led to nonunion and present a systematic analytical approach for the management of aseptic humeral shaft nonunion. Methods: In between January 2007 to December 2013, 20 patients with humeral shaft nonunion after operative procedure were treated according to our treatment algorithm. We could analysis x-rays of 12 patients from initial treatment to nonunion. In a subgroup of 12 patients the initial operative procedure were analyzed to determine the error that may have caused nonunion. The following questions were used to examine the cases: 1) Was the fracture biology preserved during the procedure? 2) Does the implant construct have enough stability to allow fracture healing? Results: In 19 out of 20 patients have showed radiographic evidence of union on follow up. One patient has to undergo reoperation because of the technical error with bone graft placement but eventually healed. There were 2 cases wherein the treatment algorithm was not followed. All patients had problems with mechanical stability, and in 13 patients had biologic problems. In the analysis of the initial operative fixation, only one of 12 patients had biologic problems. Conclusion: In our analysis, the common preventable error made during operative fixation of humeral shaft fracture is failure to provide adequate stability for bony union to occur. And with these cases we have demonstrated a systematic analytic management approach that may be used to prevent surgeons from reproducing the same fault and reduce the need for bone grafting.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
• /
• 2002.03a
• /
• pp.121-122
• /
• 2002

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.149-160
• /
• 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
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2016

Background: The aim of study was to confirm the clinical effectiveness and results of wide and single anterior approach for fractures occurring along length of humerus. Methods: A total of 23 patients with humeral fracture were enrolled into our study who were able to participate in at least one year of follow-up. Seven patients had segmental comminuted humeral fractures and 16 patients had distal humeral fractures. We made various tractions of the muscles to expose the proximal and the middle third humerus between the biceps and brachialis and the distal humerus by partial splitting of lateral side of biceps through a single incision. Postoperatively, we measured the Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI). Results: we achieved bone union in all 23 patients. Solid union of the bone was achieved at an average 13.9 weeks. Postoperatively, two complications were observed screw loosening and nonunion. Revision surgery was performed in both patients. The patient with bone nonunion was treated using bone grafts. No postoperative infections or peripheral neuropathies were observed. At the final follow-up (average 20 months), we found that the average MEPI functional score of the patients was 91.7 points regardless of the fracture site. Conclusions: Our whole humerus with a single incision was effective for the treatment of segmental comminuted and distal fractures. we believe it is a useful alternative to preexisting methods of fracture fixation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.120-126
• /
• 2014

Background: To compare the treatment of the proximal humerus fracture using a Polarus nail or Philos plate, we aimed to analyze the functional recovery and the factors affecting the selection between the two types of surgery. Methods: The study included 107 patients with proximal humerus fracture who underwent surgery at our institution. Of these patients, 67 underwent surgery with Polarus nails (G1) and 40 with Philos plates (G2). In G1, the cases of two- and three-part fractures were 60 and 7 cases, in G2, the cases of two-, three-, and four-part fractures were 28, 10, and 2 cases, respectively. The average age was 61 years old, and the average follow-up period was 32.5 months. We compared radiological results, the functional recovery retrospectively. Results: The radiological union time was 6.8 weeks and 8.7 weeks on average in G1 and G2 (p < 0.05). At the one-year follow-up period, these were visual analogue scale (VAS) 1.355, forward flexion (FF) 130.968, external rotation (ER) 50.161, internal rotation (IR) L2 in G1, and VAS 0.781, FF 135.806 ER 51.25, IR L1 in G2, respectively, showing no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Similar observations were made at the final follow-up. In terms of functional recovery, no significant differences were seen at the one-year or at the final follow-up period (p > 0.05). Conclusions: For the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fracture, the selection of the type of surgery is affected by the fracture pattern. However, both methods give satisfactory outcomes and do not show significant differences in the functional outcome after the surgery.

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