Outcome of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation versus Hemiarthroplasty in Proximal Humerus Complex Fractures

Abstract

Background: This study compares open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus hemiarthroplasty (HA) in the management of complex proximal humerus fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neer three- and four-part fracture-dislocations, surgical neck fracture-dislocations with severe articular impaction, and any head-split fracture treated surgically at our institution were studied retrospectively. Constant–Murley scores, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores were obtained and compared between ORIF versus HA treatment. Results: Thirty patients were included in the analysis: 15 treated with ORIF were compared to 15 treated with HA with an average follow-up of 60 months. The mean Constant score (72 ± 15 vs. 54 ± 19; P = 0.005), DASH score (13 ± 17 vs. 29 ± 18; P = 0.006), ASES score (87 ± 13 vs. 66 ± 22; P = 0.003), and SF-36 physical composite score (PCS) (50 ± 11 vs. 40 ± 11; P = 0.02) all favored the ORIF group. Because of the potential confounding variable posed by including younger patients, we performed a subgroup analysis of patients older than 50 years. In this group, the Constant, DASH, ASES, and PCS scores remained significantly better in the ORIF group. Conclusion: Results of this retrospective study show improved patient-reported outcomes and quality of life scores in patients undergoing ORIF for complex proximal humerus fractures as compared to patients undergoing HA, despite a higher revision rate in the ORIF cohort. When considering patients older than 50 years, outcomes after ORIF were better than HA.

Keywords

• complex articular humeral head fractures
• hemiarthroplasty
• nonunion
• open reduction and internal fixation
• proximal humerus fractures