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Complication Management (AVN)

  • Chapter
Fractures of the Proximal Humerus

Part of the book series: Strategies in Fracture Treatments ((SFT))

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Abstract

Posttraumatic avascular necrosis of the humeral head (AVN) can lead to joint destruction with persistent pain and functional limitation. Fractures of the proximal humerus can proceed with disruption of the blood supply of the humeral head and then frequently lead to osteonecrosis and destruction of the humeral head’s surface. The risk of AVN after proximal humeral fractures has been described to depend on the type of the fracture. After 3-part fractures according to Neer [14] the incidence has been described to be 3–14 % and after 4- part fractures from 13 up to 34 % [5]. If the congruency of the joint is lost, destruction of the entire joint may follow and surgical treatment is frequently necessary [16].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Sporthopaedicum, Regensburg, Germany

    Stefan Greiner

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  1. Stefan Greiner
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Correspondence to Stefan Greiner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Peter Biberthaler

  2. Department of Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Chlodwig Kirchhoff

  3. St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    James P. Waddell

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Greiner, S. (2015). Complication Management (AVN). In: Biberthaler, P., Kirchhoff, C., Waddell, J. (eds) Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Strategies in Fracture Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20299-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20300-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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