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Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty pp 163–172Cite as

Humeral Head Nonunion

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Abstract

Fractures of the proximal humerus are common, and the majority of them unite successfully, many without surgical operation. A small percentage develop into nonunion. Nonunion of the proximal humerus presents different challenges due to biological insults from the initial injury and previous surgeries, bone loss, humeral head cavitation, osteopenia, soft tissue contractures, and infection.

Risk factors for developing a nonunion include facture characteristics, such as increased fracture translation and bonny comminutions, but the relationship of these parameters is not simple. Patients-related risk factors include nutritional or metabolic deficiencies, smoking, and medical comorbidities.

Once a nonunion has been identified, every effort should be made to address the problem before 6 months after the initial injury and prior to developing glenohumeral soft tissue contractures which may further limit the patient’s function and increase pain level creating a vicious circle potentially very dangerous.

Treatment options in case of nonunion are wide and range from nonsurgical management for minimally symptomatic patients to surgical option including osteosynthesis with last generation locking plates, interlocked intramedullary implant, and arthroplasty ranging from hemiarthroplasty to total or reverse shoulder prosthesis. Reconstruction surgery may include augments such as autograft, allograft, or structural grafts. The surgical goals are to provide a stable mechanical construct that allows early mobilization and to create a biological environment favorable to fracture healing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics Department, San Martino Hospital, Belluno, Italy

    Stefano Di Fabio & Corrado D’Antimo

Authors
  1. Stefano Di Fabio
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  2. Corrado D’Antimo
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Stefano Gumina

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of East Piedmont, Hospital “Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy

    Federico Alberto Grassi

  3. Department of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Ospedale Cervesi di Cattolica, Cattolica, Italy

    Paolo Paladini

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Di Fabio, S., D’Antimo, C. (2019). Humeral Head Nonunion. In: Gumina, S., Grassi, F., Paladini, P. (eds) Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97743-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97743-0_16

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97742-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97743-0

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