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Tuberosity Fractures

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Proximal Humerus Fractures

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Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss fractures of the tuberosities, but one must keep in mind that bony injuries are soft tissue injuries surrounding a radiographic fracture. The soft tissue juxtaposed against the fracture helps guide our treatment of that particular fracture and should be treated with the tendon and related function in mind. This consideration helps focus the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions related to the rotator cuff and its concomitant bony injury or, in this case, a tuberosity fracture. Considering the mechanism of injury surrounding tuberosity fractures as either high-energy impingement injuries against the acromion, coracoid, or glenoid rim also helps treating surgeons focus on associated soft tissue trauma that should be considered. Operative indications for greater tuberosity fractures include fracture displacement greater than 5 mm or greater than 3 mm of displacement in athletes or in patients performing frequent occupational or recreational overhead activities, whereas the threshold for lesser tuberosity fracture-displacement is less. In this chapter, we also review the most current surgical techniques to include open reduction and internal fixation and arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute, St. Francis Hospital, 2300-A Manchester Expressway, Woodruff Pavilion, Suite 101-A, Columbus, GA, 31904, USA

    Robert G. Lewis

  2. St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute Shoulder Center, St. Francis Hospital, 2300-A Manchester Expressway, Woodruff Pavilion, Suite 101-A, Columbus, GA, 31904, USA

    Domenic Scalamogna & Parthiv Patel

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  1. Robert G. Lewis
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  2. Domenic Scalamogna
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  3. Parthiv Patel
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Correspondence to Robert G. Lewis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Georgia Regent's University, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    Lynn A. Crosby

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Robert J. Neviaser

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Lewis, R.G., Scalamogna, D., Patel, P. (2015). Tuberosity Fractures. In: Crosby, L., Neviaser, R. (eds) Proximal Humerus Fractures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08951-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08951-5_4

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