• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.187-198
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• 1999

Purpose: The authors compared the results of Ender nailing for the proximal humerus fractures with those of the conservative methods radiographically. Materials and Method: Nine patients(mean age: 69 years.) received Ender nailing, and the other nine patients, conservative treatments(mean age: 73 years). All fractures were 2 part fractures. The Ender nails were inserted either through posterior elbow approach or transepicondylar approach. A simple Velpeau bandage was applied to the conservative treatment group. The average follow-up was 15 months. Results: The initial status of the anatomical reduction, i.e., the values of the medial shift, overlapping and the varus agulation, were little changed at follow-up radiographs in both the Ender nailing group and the conservative treatment group. There was no significant difference for the status of anatomical reduction between the Ender nailing group and the conservative treatment group. The stability of fixation by Ender nails, i.e., the degree of fanning out of the nails was poor in most cases. Not a few problems/complications happened in cases of Ender nailing group; back­ing out of the nail in three cases, penetration of the nails into the humeral heads in 3, fractures or cracking of the humerus around the nail insertion area in 4 and reduction loss in one. Conclusion: We could not get better results with the use of Ender nail. We use no longer Ender nails for the proximal humerus fractures. Further studies are needed for the better option for the proximal humerus fractures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2005

Purpose: To report the results of surgical treatment of comminuted fractures of distal humerus and to identify factors that affect the results. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation for comminuted fracture of distal humerus were enrolled. According to the AO classification, A2.3 was 1 case, A3.2, 2 cases, A3.3, 8 cases, B1.3, 1 case, B2.3, 1 case, C2.2, 5 cases, C2.3, 4 cases, C3.2, 3 cases and C3.3, 7 cases. As fixation technique, 17 cases were fixed by double plates, 4 cases by only K-wires, 4 cases by only screws, 3 cases by K-wires and screws and 4 cases by one plate and screws. The mean age at the time of the operation was 49 years(range, $19{\sim}77$ years). The mean follow-up period was 16 months(range, $8{\sim}51$ months). Results: At the last follow-up, the mean maximum flexion was $116.4^{\circ}\;(range,\;85{\sim}140^{\circ})$ and the mean loss of terminal extension was $11.8^{\circ}\;(range,\;0{\sim}40^{\circ})$. The average Mayo elbow performance score was $91.4^{\circ}\;(range,\;55{\sim}100^{\circ})$. Overall 29 cases(91%) showed good to excellent results. The mean range of motion of extraarticular and intraarticular fracture group was $105.5^{\circ}\;(range,\;65{\sim}140^{\circ})$ and $104^{\circ}\;(range,\;55{\sim}140^{\circ})$, respectively. The average elbow score of both groups was$93^{\circ}\;(range,\;70{\sim}100^{\circ})$ and $90.7^{\circ}\;(range,\;55{\sim}100^{\circ})$. Over 90% showed more than good results. 30 cases(94%) showed complete bony union but two cases, nonunion. One case of the nonunion cases underwent replating with bone graft as revision surgery and total elbow arthroplasty was performed in the other case. At the last follow-up, 27 patients(84.4%) showed subjective satisfaction. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation with appropriate surgical technique for comminuted fractures of distal humerus showed good results, which were not affected by age at the time of operation, fixation methods and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Transolecranon approach may be considered as good choice for intraarticular comminuted fractures of distal humerus.

• 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.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.2-2
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• 1999

It is well known that the essential pathology in traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder is the avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament complex from the glenoid. However, there are reports that the avulsion can occurs from the humeral attachments. We have experienced the 42 year-old male patient who had a traumatic lateral avulsion of the subscapularis and glenohumeral capsule from the humerus and reported the results of treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity that had been treated either by a conservative treatment or an operative approach. Materials and Method: Eighteen shoulders in 18 patients who had an one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus were managed, and the average follow-up period was 4 years and 10 months (range, 1 year to 8 years 6 months). Results: According to Neer's criteria for evaluation of results, in the group of 13 patients managed nonoperatively, the results were good or excellent in ten patients, fair in one, and poor in two. In the group managed operatively, the results were excellent in all five patients. Conclusion: If the displacement of the fragment is more than 5mm in young active patients, and more than 3mm especially in athletes and heavy laborers involved in overhead activity, the fragment should be mobilized, repaired and fixed into its original bed or a little bit inferolaterally with multiple heavy non-absorbable sutures, tension band technique, or cancellous screws and washers. We would suggest that the patients showing one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus should be evaluated individually.

• 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.20 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes after fixation using a 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) hook plate for isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fractures of the proximal humerus. Methods: We evaluated the postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes in nine patients who were followed up at least 1 year with isolated GT fractures. Using the deltopectoral approach, we fixed the displaced GT fragments with a 3.5-mm LCP hook plate (Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA). Depending on the fracture patterns, the hook plate was fixed with or without augmentation using either tension suture or suture anchor fixation. Results: All the patient showed successful bone union. The mean time-to-union was 11 weeks. The radiological and clinical outcomes at the final follow-up were generally satisfactory. The mean visual analogue scale for pain, the University of California at Los Angeles score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the subjective shoulder value were 1.4, 30.3, 84.3, and 82.2%, respectively. The mean active forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the shoulder were $156.7^{\circ}$, $152.2^{\circ}$, $61.1^{\circ}$, and the 10th thoracic vertebral level, respectively. Only one patient presented with a postoperative complication of shoulder stiffness. The patient was treated through arthroscopic capsular release on the 5th postoperative month. Conclusions: We conclude that fixation using 3.5-mm LCP hook plates for isolated GT fractures of the proximal humerus is a useful treatment method that provides satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Background: This study investigated and evaluated the clinical outcomes of intra-articular lesions of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation (TASD) associated with greater tuberosity (GT) fracture of the humerus. Methods: Subjects included 20 patients who were surgically or non-surgically treated for GT fracture of the humeurs with TASD, and followed-up for at least 2 years. The mean follow-up period was 54.1 months (range, 24-105 months). Of the 20 patients, 12 were treated surgically. Intra-articular lesions were identified randomly on magnetic resonance imaging scans (repeated thrice) by experienced radiologists and orthopedic surgeons. The accompanying intra-articular lesions were left untreated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index (WOSI) at the last follow-up. Results: Intra-articular lesions were identified in 19 patients: 7 Bankart lesions, 15 humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament lesions, 3 glenoid avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament lesion, and 6 inferior capsular tears. Two or more intra-articular lesions were identified in 6 patients. The mean SST score was 10.9 and the mean WOSI score was 449.3 at the last follow-up. Conclusions: For GT fracture of the humerus with TASD, a high frequency of diverse intra-articular lesions was identified. There were no incidence of recurrent shoulder dislocations, and good clinical outcomes were obtained without treatment of the intra-articular lesions. We thereby comprehend that although intra-articular lesions may occur in TASD associated with GT fracture of the humeurs, merely treating the GT fracture of the humerus is sufficient.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.208-216
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• 2017

Background: This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of the single calcar screw plate and Polarus nail techniques for the treatment of the proximal humerus fractures. Methods: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with displaced proximal humerus fracture were enrolled for the study. Of these, 50 patients underwent the locking plate surgery with a single calcar screw (plate group), whereas 22 patients underwent the Polarus nail surgery (nail group). The plate group was further divided into plate 1 group (with medial support), and plate 2 group (without medial support). The radiological and functional results of both groups were compared to the nail group. Results: The ${\alpha}$ angle 1 year after surgery was significantly different between plate 1 and plate 2, and plate 2 and nail groups (p=0.041, p=0.043, respectively). The ratio that does not satisfy the reference value of ${\gamma}$ angle was 2.8% in plate 1, 7.1% in plate 2 and 22.7% in nail group (p=0.007); there was a significant difference between plate 1 and nail group, and plate 2 and nail group (p=0.014, p=0.033, respectively). Conclusions: No significant differences were observed in the clinical results between locking plate and Polarus nail. However, in the plate 2 group and nail group, the rate of failure to maintain reduction during the 1-year period after surgery was statistically and significantly higher than the plate 1 group (level of evidence: level IV, case series, treatment study).