Abstract
We assessed clinical results of plate fixation for fractures of the proximal humerus.
Nineteen cases of humeral fracture treated from 1998 to 2002 by symmetry plate were investigated. The patients were 5 men and 14 women, with an averaged age of 59 years (range, 19-85 years). The mean follow up period was 1 year 11 months (range, 1-5 years 3 months). The types of fracture were 2-part fractures in 12, and 3 -part fractures in 7 cases. All patients were evaluated by the Japan Orthopaedic Association (JOA) shoulder score.
The average postoperative JOA score was 78.4 points (range, 54.5 to 100 points). Ten cases had good clinical results. Nine cases had poor results. There was a significant correlation between postoperative JOA score and age, existence of complications, and postoperative neck-shaft angle. Our findings indicate that anatomical reduction and reinforcement by calcium phosphate were important to gain satisfactory functional results of osteosynthesis.
