Abstract
Proximal humerus fracture is the third most common fracture in patients with osteoporosis. Most of such fractures can be treated conservatively. Surgical intervention allows anatomical reduction and rigid fixation to enable early mobilization, however, a high reoperation rate is reported. Special techniques and tricks in the fixation of proximal humerus fractures, with plating, or proximal humerus nails, are demonstrated in this chapter to enhance the readers’ ability to tackle this challenging fracture, such as reverse shoulder arthroplasty for irreparable fractures.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Court-Brown CM, Caesar B. Epidemiology of adult fractures: a review. Injury. 2006;37(8):691–7.
Calvo E, et al. Nondisplaced proximal humeral fractures: high incidence among outpatient-treated osteoporotic fractures and severe impact on upper extremity function and patient subjective health perception. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2011;20(5):795–801.
Helmy N, Hintermann B. New trends in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;442:100–8.
Harrison JW, et al. Internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures. Acta Orthop Belg. 2007;73(1):1–11.
Brunner F, et al. Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures using a proximal humeral locked plate: a prospective multicenter analysis. J Orthop Trauma. 2009;23(3):163–72.
Hirschmann MT, et al. Clinical longer-term results after internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures with a locking compression plate (PHILOS). J Orthop Trauma. 2011;25(5):286–93.
Krappinger D, et al. Predicting failure after surgical fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Injury. 2011;42(11):1283–8.
Agudelo J, et al. Analysis of efficacy and failure in proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plates. J Orthop Trauma. 2007;21(10):676–81.
Barvencik F, et al. Age- and sex-related changes of humeral head microarchitecture: histomorphometric analysis of 60 human specimens. J Orthop Res. 2010;28(1):18–26.
Hepp P, et al. Where should implants be anchored in the humeral head? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2003;415:139–47.
Saitoh S, et al. Distribution of bone mineral density and bone strength of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 1994;3(4):234–42.
Tingart MJ, et al. Three-dimensional distribution of bone density in the proximal humerus. Calcif Tissue Int. 2003;73(6):531–6.
Yamada M, et al. Age- and gender-related distribution of bone tissue of osteoporotic humeral head using computed tomography. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2007;16(5):596–602.
Mather J, et al. Proximal humerus cortical bone thickness correlates with bone mineral density and can clinically rule out osteoporosis. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2013;22(6):732–8.
Spross C, et al. Deltoid Tuberosity Index: a simple radiographic tool to assess local bone quality in proximal humerus fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015;473(9):3038–45.
Rangan A, et al. Surgical vs nonsurgical treatment of adults with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus: the PROFHER randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015;313(10):1037–47.
O’Donnell JA, Gage MJ. Proximal humerus geriatric fracture care: fix, replace, or nonoperative treatment? J Orthop Trauma. 2021;35(Suppl 5):S6–S10.
Franz Kralinger MB. Proximal humerus. In: Michael Blauth SLK, Nicholas JA, editors. Osteoporotic fracture care. New York: Thieme; 2018.
Thanasas C, et al. Treatment of proximal humerus fractures with locking plates: a systematic review. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2009;18(6):837–44.
Gerber C, Hersche O, Berberat C. The clinical relevance of posttraumatic avascular necrosis of the humeral head. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 1998;7(6):586–90.
Hettrich CM, et al. Quantitative assessment of the vascularity of the proximal part of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;92(4):943–8.
Hertel R, et al. Predictors of humeral head ischemia after intracapsular fracture of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2004;13(4):427–33.
Strasser S, et al. Nail Versus Plate: a biomechanical comparison of a locking plate versus an intramedullary nail with an angular stable locking system in a shoulder simulator with active muscle forces using a two-part fracture model. J Orthop Trauma. 2021;35(3):e71–6.
Fuchtmeier B, et al. Proximal humerus fractures: a comparative biomechanical analysis of intra and extramedullary implants. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2007;127(6):441–7.
Yoon RS, et al. A comprehensive update on current fixation options for two-part proximal humerus fractures: a biomechanical investigation. Injury. 2014;45(3):510–4.
Gracitelli ME, et al. Locking intramedullary nails compared with locking plates for two- and three-part proximal humeral surgical neck fractures: a randomized controlled trial. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2016;25(5):695–703.
Plath JE, et al. Locking nail versus locking plate for proximal humeral fracture fixation in an elderly population: a prospective randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):20.
Zhu Y, et al. Locking intramedullary nails and locking plates in the treatment of two-part proximal humeral surgical neck fractures: a prospective randomized trial with a minimum of three years of follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011;93(2):159–68.
Laux CJ, et al. Current concepts in locking plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures. J Orthop Surg Res. 2017;12(1):137.
Boileau P, et al. Displaced humeral surgical neck fractures: classification and results of third-generation percutaneous intramedullary nailing. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2019;28(2):276–87.
Lopiz Y, et al. Proximal humerus nailing: a randomized clinical trial between curvilinear and straight nails. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2014;23(3):369–76.
Konrad G, et al. Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humerus plate. Surgical technique. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;92(Suppl 1):85–95.
Bai L, et al. Effect of calcar screw use in surgical neck fractures of the proximal humerus with unstable medial support: a biomechanical study. J Orthop Trauma. 2014;28(8):452–7.
Zhang W, et al. The mechanical benefit of medial support screws in locking plating of proximal humerus fractures. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e103297.
Hodgson S. Proximal humerus fracture rehabilitation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006;442:131–8.
Platzer P, et al. Displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity: a comparison of operative and nonoperative treatment. J Trauma. 2008;65(4):843–8.
Sun Q, et al. Plate fixation versus arthroscopic-assisted plate fixation for isolated medium-sized fractures of the greater tuberosity: a retrospective study. Orthop Surg. 2020;12(5):1456–63.
Young AA, Hughes JS. Locked intramedullary nailing for treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures. Orthop Clin North Am. 2008;39(4):417–28.
Rothstock S, et al. Biomechanical evaluation of two intramedullary nailing techniques with different locking options in a three-part fracture proximal humerus model. Clin Biomech. 2012;27(7):686–91.
Boileau P, et al. Tuberosity malposition and migration: reasons for poor outcomes after hemiarthroplasty for displaced fractures of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2002;11(5):401–12.
Boileau P, et al. Can surgeons predict what makes a good hemiarthroplasty for fracture? J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2013;22(11):1495–506.
Austin DC, et al. Decreased reoperations and improved outcomes with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in comparison to hemiarthroplasty for geriatric proximal humerus fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Trauma. 2019;33(1):49–57.
Gillespie RJ, et al. Surgical exposure for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: differences in approaches and outcomes. Orthop Clin North Am. 2015;46(1):49–56.
Levigne C, et al. Scapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2008;17(6):925–35.
Melis B, et al. An evaluation of the radiological changes around the Grammont reverse geometry shoulder arthroplasty after eight to 12 years. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011;93(9):1240–6.
Sabharwal S, Bale S. The biomechanics of reverse shoulder arthroplasty. J Arthrosc Joint Surg. 2021;8(1):7–12.
Simovitch RW, et al. Predictors of scapular notching in patients managed with the Delta III reverse total shoulder replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(3):588–600.
Kempton LB, et al. A radiographic analysis of the effects of glenosphere position on scapular notching following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2011;20(6):968–74.
Edwards TB, et al. Inferior tilt of the glenoid component does not decrease scapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: results of a prospective randomized study. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2012;21(5):641–6.
Patel M, et al. Inferior tilt of the glenoid leads to medialization and increases impingement on the scapular neck in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2021;30(6):1273–81.
Helmkamp JK, et al. The clinical and radiographic impact of center of rotation lateralization in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2018;27(11):2099–107.
Boileau P, et al. Bony increased-offset reversed shoulder arthroplasty: minimizing scapular impingement while maximizing glenoid fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011;469(9):2558–67.
Berhouet J, Garaud P, Favard L. Evaluation of the role of glenosphere design and humeral component retroversion in avoiding scapular notching during reverse shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2014;23(2):151–8.
Berhouet J, Garaud P, Favard L. Influence of glenoid component design and humeral component retroversion on internal and external rotation in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a cadaver study. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2013;99(8):887–94.
de Wilde LF, et al. Prosthetic overhang is the most effective way to prevent scapular conflict in a reverse total shoulder prosthesis. Acta Orthop. 2010;81(6):719–26.
Werthel JD, et al. Lateralization in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a descriptive analysis of different implants in current practice. Int Orthop. 2019;43(10):2349–60.
Langohr GD, et al. The effect of glenosphere diameter in reverse shoulder arthroplasty on muscle force, joint load, and range of motion. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2015;24(6):972–9.
Lädermann A, et al. Effect of humeral stem design on humeral position and range of motion in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Int Orthop. 2015;39(11):2205–13.
Erickson BJ, et al. The influence of humeral head inclination in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2015;24(6):988–93.
Kontaxis A, et al. Humeral version in reverse shoulder arthroplasty affects impingement in activities of daily living. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2017;26(6):1073–82.
Bonnevialle N, et al. Should the supraspinatus tendon be excised in the case of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture? Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2020;30(2):231–5.
SiebenbĂĽrger G, et al. Supraspinatus tenotomy in reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fractures: a comparative cohort study. Geriatr Orthopaed Surg Rehabil. 2021;12:21514593211019973.
Matthewson G, et al. The effect of subscapularis repair on dislocation rates in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a meta-analysis and systematic review. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2019;28(5):989–97.
Yat YCS, Lau CFF. Surgeon-designed patient-specific instrumentation improves glenoid component screw placement for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with small glenoid dimensions. Int Orthop. 2021;47(5):1267–75.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Yee, D.K.H., Wong, T.M., Fang, C. (2024). Choice of Management and Techniques of Proximal Humeral Fixation. In: Leung, F., Lau, T.W. (eds) Surgery for Osteoporotic Fractures. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-9696-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-9696-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-99-9695-7
Online ISBN: 978-981-99-9696-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)