Abstract
Proximal humeral locked plates have been advocated as an improved option for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures. After a number of failures using other methods we moved to this option in 2003.
We reviewed all patients treated with this method, since we started in 2004. 16 patients were available for follow up. Using the Simple Shoulder Test and the Oxford Shoulder Score we assessed their level of function and pain. X-rays were checked for loss of fixation and union. The average follow up was 13 months post-surgery; the average age was 61 years. Using Neer’s classification, seven had 2 part fractures, seven had 3 part fractures and two had 4 part fractures.
All fractures united and the patients reported good shoulder function. None had loss of fixation. There were no cases of sepsis. There were two patients awaiting hardware removal and one patient has already had removal for subacromial impingement.
The results in this limited series compare favourably with the reported literature and we had no loss of fixation compared to our previous treatment.
Correspondence should be addressed to: Léana Fourie, CEO SAOA, PO Box 12918, Brandhof 9324 South Africa.
