Clin Should Elbow.  2017 Dec;20(4):208-216. 10.5397/cise.2017.20.4.208.

Clinical and Radiologic Results Comparing the Periarticular Proximal Humerus Locking Plate and Polarus Nail for Displaced Proximal Humerus Fractures

• Min YK
• Lee SJ
• Gwak HC
• Kang SW
• Suh KT

• KMID: 2401276
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2017.20.4.208

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of the single calcar screw plate and Polarus nail techniques for the treatment of the proximal humerus fractures.
METHODS
Seventy-two patients diagnosed with displaced proximal humerus fracture were enrolled for the study. Of these, 50 patients underwent the locking plate surgery with a single calcar screw (plate group), whereas 22 patients underwent the Polarus nail surgery (nail group). The plate group was further divided into plate 1 group (with medial support), and plate 2 group (without medial support). The radiological and functional results of both groups were compared to the nail group.
RESULTS
The α angle 1 year after surgery was significantly different between plate 1 and plate 2, and plate 2 and nail groups (p=0.041, p=0.043, respectively). The ratio that does not satisfy the reference value of γ angle was 2.8% in plate 1, 7.1% in plate 2 and 22.7% in nail group (p=0.007); there was a significant difference between plate 1 and nail group, and plate 2 and nail group (p=0.014, p=0.033, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences were observed in the clinical results between locking plate and Polarus nail. However, in the plate 2 group and nail group, the rate of failure to maintain reduction during the 1-year period after surgery was statistically and significantly higher than the plate 1 group (level of evidence: level IV, case series, treatment study).

Keyword

Humeral fractures; Proximal; Locking plate; Intramedullary nail

MeSH Terms

Humans
Humeral Fractures
Humerus*
Reference Values