Abstract
The purpose of this article was to report an arthroscopic treatment method for greater tuberosity malunion. Eight patients with malunion of the greater tuberosity were treated by arthroscopic acromioplasty, detachment of rotator cuff, tuberoplasty of the greater tuberosity and repair of the rotator cuff. On the basis of the UCLA rating scale, the overall score increased from 11.1 (range 9–14) to 30.2 (range 25–35) postoperatively, with one excellent result, six good results, and one poor result. All patients had less pain than preoperatively. Full activity level was achieved in two patients, five patients had only slight functional restriction, and one patient had mild limitation in activities of daily living. Seven patients returned to their previous occupations without restrictions. One patient did not return to work because of residual upper extremity weakness. We conclude that arthroscopic tuberoplasty is a good method for the treatment of greater tuberosity malunion.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
As´ad M, Thet MM, Chambler FW (2007) Arthroscopic treatment for malunion of a head-splitting proximal humeral fracture: the need for adequate initial radiologic investigation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 16:e1–e2
Bahrs C, Badke A, Rolauffs B et al (2009) Long-term results after non-plate head-preserving fixation of proximal humeral fractures. Int Orthop. doi:10.1007/s00264-009-0848-4
Beredjiklian PK, Iannotti JP, Norris TR, William GR (1998) Operative treatment of malunion of a fracture of the proximal aspect of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg 80A:1484–1497
Bono CM, Renard R, Levine RG, Levy AS (2001) Effect of displacement of fractures of the greater tuberosity on the mechanics of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg 83B:1056–1062
Craig EV (2004) Operative treatment of tuberosity fractures, malunions and nonunions. In: Craig EV (ed) The shoulder. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp 495–511
Hinov V, Wilson F, Adams G (2002) Arthroscopically treated proximal humeral fracture malunion. Arthroscopy 18:1020–1023
Scheibel M, Lichtenberg S, Habermeyer P (2004) Reversed arthroscopic subacromial decompression for massive rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 13:272–278
Siegel JA, Dinex DM (2000) Proximal humerus malunions. Orthop Clin North Am 31:35–50
Wirth MA (2003) Late sequelae of proximal humerus fractures. Instr Course Lect 52:13–16
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Martinez, A.A., Calvo, A., Domingo, J. et al. Arthroscopic treatment for malunions of the proximal humeral greater tuberosity. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 34, 1207–1211 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0900-4
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0900-4