• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.217-221
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of internal fixation with locking T-plates for osteoporotic fractures of the proximal humerus in patients aged 65 years and older. Methods: From January 2007 through to December 2015, we recruited 47 patients aged 65 years and older with osteoporotic fractures of the proximal humerus. All fractures had been treated using open reduction and internal fixation with a locking T-plate. We classified the fractures in accordance to the Neer classification system; At the final follow-up, the indicators of clinical outcome-the range of motion of the shoulder (flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation) and the presence of postoperative complications-and the indicators of radiographic outcome-the time-to-union and the neck-shaft angle of the proximal humerus-were evaluated. The Paavolainen method was used to grade the level of radiological outcome in the patients. Results: The mean flexion was $155.0^{\circ}$ (range, $90^{\circ}-180^{\circ}$), the mean internal rotation was T8 (range, T6-L2), and the mean external rotation was $66.8^{\circ}$ (range, $30^{\circ}-80^{\circ}$). Postoperative complications, such as plate impingement, screw loosening, and varus malunion were observed in five patient. We found that all patients achieved bone union, and the mean time-to-union was 13.5 weeks of the treatment. The mean neck-shaft angle was $131.4^{\circ}$ at the 6-month follow-up. According to the Paavolainen method, "good" and "fair" radiographic results each accounted for 38 and 9 of the total patients, respectively. Conclusions: We concluded that locking T-plate fixation leads to satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures by providing a larger surface area of contact with the fracture and a more rigid fixation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Purpose: The clinical and radiographic outcomes of the internal fixation, which were executed on patients over the age of 65 with proximal humerus fracture by using a polyaxial angular stable locking compression plate (Non-Contact-Bridging proximal humerus plate, Zimmer, Switzerland, NCB), were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients over the age of 65 among the proximal humerus fracture treated with NCB plate, between August 2007 and January 2011, were chosen as the subjects. The average age of patients was 71 years, and the average postoperative follow-up period was 11.5 months. The fractures included 14 two-part and 18 three-part fractures. The clinical results were evaluated, using the visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Constant score. The radiological results were evaluated by time to union and Paavolainen method, which measures the neck shaft angle. Results: At the last follow-up examination, the mean VAS score was 3 points and the mean Constant score was 64.5 points, with bone union achieved after the average of 16.2 weeks following the surgery in all the cases. The mean neck shaft angle was 125.9 and 24 cases had good results, while 8 cases had fair results by Paavolainen method, at the last follow-up. There were 1 case of delayed union and cerclage wire failure, and 3 cases of subacromial impingement. There were no complications, such as loss of reduction, nonunion, screw loosening, or avascular necrosis of the humeral head. Conclusion: Internal fixation, using a NCB plate, was considered to be an effective surgical method in treating proximal humerus fracture in the elderly patients, on whom the fixation of the fracture and maintenance of reduction are difficult.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the results of the compression plate fixation and autogenous bone graft in the management of humerus shaft nonunion. Materials and Methods: Eighteen cases were treated for humerus shaft nonunion using compression plate fixation and an autogenous iliac bone graft. The mean follow-up period was 28 months. Bony union was confirmed from the serial radiographs and the clinical outcomes were assessed according to ASES scoring system. Results: In 12 cases of initial plate fixation, the causes of nonunion were 6 cases of inadequate plate length, 2 with a broken plate, 2 with screw loosening, 1 infection and 1 noncompliance of a psychiatric patient. In 3 cases of initial intramedullary fixation, the cause of nonunion was a distraction of the fracture site. In 3 cases of external fixation, the cause of nonunion was inadequate fixation. All cases showed bony union after an average of 24 weeks. The clinical outcomes were 11 excellent, 6 good and 1 fair. Conclusion: In the treatment for nonunion, compression plate fixation with autogeneous bone graft after complete removal of the fibrous and necrotic tissue is believed to give satisfactory results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2013

Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographical results for the displacement of fracture fragments after interlocking intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 8 cases of humeral shaft fractures that have displacements of over 10 mm and under 20 mm after interlocking intramedullary nailing between July 2004 and August 2011. The mean age was 54.1 years (range, 43 to 70 years) and there were 3 male and 5 female patients. Radiographically, the time to bony union, change of displacement and angulation of the fracture site, and degree of improvement of these two factors were measured. Clinically, the range of motion of shoulder and elbow joints, postoperative pain and complications were evaluated. Results: All cases showed complete bony union in last follow-up. The mean time to bony union was 16.1 weeks. At the last follow-up, almost all cases had normal range of motion of shoulder and elbow joints. But, one case had stiffness of shoulder joint. Therefore, arthroscopic capsular release and manipulation was performed. One case had transient shoulder pain and the other case had transient elbow pain. In the two cases, pull-out of proximal interlocking screw were noted, but they finally had bony union. Conclusion: Although considerable displacement of fracture fragments after interlocking intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures was present, we had excellent radiographical and clinical outcomes. Therefore, an additional procedure, such as open reduction or another fixation for the fracture site, was not necessary.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2005

Background: We evaluated the clinical and the radiological results of treatment for humeral shaft fractures by using an antegrade intramedullary nail. Methods: Thirty-nine (39) cases of humeral shaft fractures treated with antegrade intramedullary nail were evaluated. Bone union was evaluated with simple radiographic findings, and a functional evaluation was done using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. Results: The average duration until union was 14.1 weeks. On the functional evaluation using the ASES score, 15 cases were excellent, 19 cases good, 3 cases fair, and 2 cases poor. Conclusion: We conclude that antegrade intramedullary nailing has a good clinical and radiological result for treatment of humeral shaft fractures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2015

Background: This retrospective comparative study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications of two surgical methods for simple fractures of the humeral shaft; minimally invasive anterior plating and open reduction combined with internal fixation. Methods: A total of 26 patients with humeral shaft simple fractures, who had surgery between June 2009 and September 2013 and were followed-up at least 12 months, were included in our analysis. They were divided into two groups; group 1 comprised of 12 patients who underwent minimally invasive anterior plating and group 2 comprised of 14 patients who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation. The clinical outcomes, radiological results, and complications were compared and analyzed. Results: We found that bone union was achieved in all patients, and the mean union periods were $20.7{\pm}3.34$ and $20.3{\pm}3.91$ weeks for groups 1 and 2, respectively. In most patients, we found that shoulder and elbow functions were recovered. At 12 months post-operation, we found that the Korean Shoulder Scoring system, the University of California at Los Angeles score and Mayo elbow performance score were $91.4{\pm}7.97$, $33.4{\pm}1.15$, and $90.8{\pm}2.23$ for group 1, and $95.2{\pm}1.53$, $33.3{\pm}1.43$, and $90.17{\pm}1.85$ for group 2. In terms of complications, we found that 2 patients had radial nerve palsy after open reduction and internal fixation, but all cases spontaneously resolved within 6 months. Complications such as infection and loss of fixation were not reported. Conclusions: Both minimally invasive anterior plating and open reduction with internal fixation produced satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of simple fractures of the humeral shaft.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Purpose: We examined the clinical and radiological outcomes for displaced proximal humerus fractures that were treated with a PHILOS angular stable plate. Materials and Method: Forty four patients who underwent surgery between March 2007 and February 2010 were included in this study. All the cases were followed up for an average of 12 months. All the patients were examined and interviewed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Constant score and standardized X-rays to check the neck-shaft angle (NSA) and the presence of medial support. Results: The average Visual Analog Scale score was 2.8 points and the average Constant score was 70.5 points. The average neck shaft angle was $122.5^{\circ}$ and this was statistically significant between the good result group and the poor result group. There were 36 cases of the presence of medial support and 8 cases of the absence of medial support and the difference was statistically significant. Complications such as fixation failure happened in 12 cases. Conclusion: PHILOS angular stable plate fixation as an operative treatment for displaced proximal humerus fractures is a good and reliable treatment option.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.168-175
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• 2003

Fracture about proximal humerus may be classified as the articular segment or the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, the lesser tuberosity, and the shaft or surgical neck. Now, usually used, Neer's classification is based on the number of segments displaced, over 1cm of displaced or more than 45 degrees of angulation , rather than the number of fracture line . Absolute indication of a operative treatment a open fracture, the fracture with vascular injury or nerve injury , and unreductable fracture-dislocation . Inversely, the case that are severe osteoporosis, and eldly patient who can't be operated by strong internal fixation is better than arthroplasty used by primary prosthetic replacement and early rehabilitation program than open reduction and internal fixation. The operator make a decision for the patient who should be taken the open reduction and internal fixation, because it's different that anatomical morphology, bone density, condition of patient. The operator decide operation procedure. For example, percutaneous pinning, open reduction, plate & screws, wire tension bands combined with some intramedullary device are operation procedure that operator can decide . The poor health condition for other health problem, fracture with unstable vital sign and severe osteoporosis , are the relative contraindication. The stable fracture without dislocation is not the operative indication . The radiologic film of the prokimal humerus before the operation can not predict for fracture evaluation. It's necessary to good radiologic film for evaluation of fracture form. The trauma serise is better than the other radiologic film for evaluation. The accessary radiologic exam is able to help for evaluation of bone fragment and anatomy. The CT can be helpful in evaluating these injury, especially if the extract fracture type cannot be determined from plain roenterogram of the proximal humerus, bone of humerus head. If the dislocation is severe anatomically , we could consider to do three dimentional remodelling. The MRI doing for observing of bony morphology before the operation is not better than CT If we were suspicious of vascular injury, we could consider the angiography.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2006

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of the Locking compression plate (LCP) after open reduction for the treatment of the displaced clavicular shaft fracture, the clinical and radiologic outcome of the patients who were managed with the LCP for internal fixation after open reduction has been analyzed. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 26 cases with a displaced clavicular shaft fracture treated by internal fixation using Locking compression plate after open reduction between May 2003 and November 2004. The patients were followed up for at least six months period, and final postoperative outcome was evaluated using clinical results based on Kang's criteria, radiologic signs of fusion. Results: All fractures united by an average of 9.3 weeks without delayed union and showed fast recovery of motion fraction and shoulder function. In addition,24 cases without the fractures of proximal humerus recovered to normal range of shoulder notion within 2.9 weeks. Clinically, according to Kang's criteria, the outcome was good or better in 22 patients. The complications included shoulder joint dysfunction in two cases and keloid formation in one case, and no other complications were observed. Conclusion: The internal fixation using LCP for the treatment of displaced clavicular shaft fracture is a safe, reliable method of treatment, with few complications, and offers rapid recovery of shoulder joint function and bone union.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: The execution of fibular allograft augmentation in unstable proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) was technically demanding. In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes after tricortical iliac allograft (TIA) augmentation in PHFs. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 38 PHF patients treated with locking-plate fixation and TIA augmentation. Insertion of a TIA was indicated when an unstable PHF showed a large cavitary defect and poor medial column support after open reduction, regardless of the presence of medial cortical comminution in preoperative images. Radiographic imaging parameters (humeral head height, HHH; humeral neck-shaft angle, HNSA; head mediolateral offset, HMLO; and status of the union), Constant score, and range of motion were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to whether the medial column support after open reduction was poor or not (groups A and B, respectively); clinical outcomes were compared for all parameters. Results: All fractures healed radiologically (average duration to complete union, 5.8 months). At final evaluation, the average Constant score was 73 points and the mean active forward flexion was $148^{\circ}$. Based on the Paavolainen assessment method, 33 patients had good results and 5 patients showed fair results. The mean loss of reduction was 1.32 mm in HHH and 5.02% in HMLO. None of the parameters evaluated showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (poor and not poor medial column support). Conclusions: In unstable PHFs, TIA augmentation can provide good clinical and radiological results when there are poor medial column support and a large cavitary defect after open reduction.