Clin Should Elbow.  2014 Mar;17(1):2-9.

Indirect Reduction Technique in Proximal Humeral Fractures Stabilized by Locking Plates

• Rhee YG
• Cho NS
• Cha SW
• Moon SC
• Hwang SP

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Indirect reduction technique offers a valid option in the treatment of proximal humerus fracture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome and the complication rate after indirect reduction and internal fixation of unstable proximal humeral fractures with use of a locking plate.
METHODS
Twenty four patients with acute proximal humerus fracture were managed with indirect reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate. The mean follow-up period was 15.5 months.
RESULTS
The anatomical reduction of the medial cortex buttress was seen in 16 patients (66%) of the Group A and the non-anatomical reduction was seen in 8 patients (33%) of the Group B. Mean union time was 3.2 +/- 1.9 months; it was 2.2 +/- 0.6 months in the Group A and 5.3 +/- 2.2 months in the Group B (p < 0.05). In our series, there were 6 cases of complications and these include 2 cases of varus malunion, 2 cases of shoulder stiffness, 1 case of heterotrophic ossification, 2 cases of screw perforation and 1 case of impingement.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude from our studies that indirect reduction and internal fixation using locking plate for acute proximal humerus fracture can give good results with bony union and predictable good overall functional outcome. If the medial cortex buttress is well maintained, a better anatomical reduction would be achieved, the union would be prompted, the pain would be further reduced and the range of the motion would be recovered more promptly.

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Humerus
Shoulder
Shoulder Fractures*