Biomedical Letters

Comparison of outcomes after fixation of proximal humerus fractures in elderly to non-elderly patients using locking plates

Lohia Sumit 1, Shrestha Monalisha 2, Wang Chen 1*

1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southeast University affiliated Zhong Da Hospital, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P.R. China.

2 Department of Radiology, Chongqing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing, P.R. China

Abstract

The use of locking plate technology for the fixation of proximal humerus fractures has been increasing. Purpose of this research was to analyze the comparison of functional outcome in elderly (?65 years of age) to non-elderly patients (< 65 years of age) who had sustained a proximal humerus fracture and were subsequently treated with locking plate technology. Retrospective database of all patients with proximal humerus fracture who had undergone surgery using locking plates was obtained. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed to analyze presentation, type of injury and management for the proximal humerus fracture. All available follow up data was reviewed. A total of 49 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. They were divided into two groups: Group A (<65 years) and Group B (?65 years). Constant score questionnaire was completed for all these 49 patients. Level of significance for the differences in functional outcome between the two groups was calculated using unpaired t-test. The results were statistically significant for the functional outcome between the two groups indicating that younger patients function better with the use of locking plate technology. Of all the 49 patients about 85% of the patients had an excellent/satisfactory functional outcome as suggested by the constant score. These results favor the use of locking plate technology in the fixation of upper humerus fractures.

Keywords: Functional outcome; proximal humerus fractures; locking plate.

Received January 11, 2015 Revised February 02, 2015 Accepted March 3, 2015

*Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. Wang Chen Email: chen_wang@seu.edu.cn Phone: +86-13951866595