Functional and Radiological Outcomes of the Proximal Humeral Fractures Treated with Proximal Anatomic Locking Plate

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to evaluate functional and radiographic outcomes of patients with proximal humeral fractures treated with proximal anatomic locking plate and were classified according to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification. Methods: In this study we included 29 patients (13 females, 16 males) aged 16-82 years who were treated with proximal anatomic locking plate between February 2010 and July 2014. The mean follow up time was 17.76±8.31 months. The right shoulder was operated in 20 patients and the left shoulder in nine patients. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score and radiologic outcomes were assessed using anteroposterior radyograph. Results: At the final follow up, the mean Constant-Murley score was 75.48±18.69. The result was poor in 31.0% (n=9), moderate in 24.1% (n=7), 13.8% (n=4) good and excellent in 31.0% (n=9) of patients. The mean UCLA score was 30.10±5.73. The outcome was poor in 17.2% (n=5), good in 31.0% (n=9) and excellent in 51.7% (n=15) of patients. In 21 patients there were no complications, but complications occurred in eight. When we compared the patients per age groups (65), there was no difference in collo-diaphyseal angle (p=0,097, p>0,05), but the Constant-Murley scores (p=0,001) and UCLA scores (p=0,01) were statistically higher in patients below 65 years of age than in those above 65 years. Conclusion: Treathment with proximal anatomic locking plate is preferred since it supports early motion and leads to good functional results in partial proximal humeral fractures.

Keywords

• Proximal humeral fractures
• locking anatomic plate
• AO/OTA classification