Abstract
Objective: To clarify the relationship between the temporal changes in flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM) and the range of external rotation of the humerus (1st external rotation) in the early postoperative period after osteosynthesis in patients with proximal humeral fractures.
Methods: A total of 22 patients (age: 69.6±11.1 years, male: n=7, female: n=15) were included in the study. We measured the ROM of the shoulder joint in flexion, abduction, 1st external rotation, external rotation at 90° abduction (2nd external rotation), and internal rotation at 90° flexion (3rd internal rotation) every week between postoperative weeks 2 to 8. The data were analyzed both longitudinally and cross-sectionally.
Results: There was a significant increase in the ROM for flexion, abduction, and 1st external rotation until postoperative week 6 (p<0.01). However, there was no significant increase in the ROM after week 6. There was a strong correlation between flexion and abduction for the 1st external rotation at each time point (p<0.01), as well as a correlation for the 2nd external and 3rd internal rotations at each time point (p<0.05 and p<0.01).
Conclusion: We demonstrated no changes in the ROM of flexion, abduction, or 1st external rotation 6 weeks after osteosynthesis. There was also a strong correlation between flexion and abduction for the 1st external rotation.
