• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2000

Purpose: Most proximal humeral fractures are minimally displaced and can be treated satisfactorily with a conservative method. But in many comminuted fractures, hemiarthroplasty is usually done as a primary treatment. The authors evaluated how much functional improvement was achieved after hemiarthroplasty and which factors influence on the final functional results. Materials and Methods: Eleven hemiarthroplasties were performed for three- and four-part fractures(including fracture-dislocation) between April 1992 and June 1999. There were eight women and three men, and the mean age was 65 years. According to Neer classification, six was three-part fracture and five was four-part fracture. Six patients were injured on their right shoulder and five on the left shoulder. Among the five four-part fractures, three had axillary nerve injury and among the six three-part fractures, only one patient had axillary nerve injury. The average follow-up period was 2.4 years(1 year-7 years) after operation. The functional results were evaluated with the UCLA scoring system(Modification for hemiarthroplasty). In addition to the overall results, we compared the results according to the classification of the fracture, the cause of injury, and whether the axillary nerve was injured. Results: At the last follow-up, average total UCLA score was 18.2. The mean score for pain was 7.0, mean muscle power and motion score was 5.5 and 5.7 respectively. The pain relief was more satisfactory than any other functional results. The average score for three-part fractures was 22, and the average for four-part fractures was 13.6. The average score for the patients fractured by vehicle accidents was 15.3, and 19.3 for the patients fractured by slip-down injury. In patients without axillary nerve injury, the average score was 20, and with axillary nerve injury, the score was 15. Conclusion: Shoulder hemiarthroplasty, for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures, cannot restore the shoulder function to normal, but can achieve the functional result to some degree, especially for the activity of daily living. And as for pain, we think that it is relatively effective measure. And we think that the severer the comminution, the more the chance of axillary nerve injury, and the poorer the functional results. In conclusion, the severity of initial injury seems to be the major prognostic factor.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the results of using a locking compression plate and an unlocked plate for treating proximal humeral fractures. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 20 patients who underwent plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures out of the 87 patients with proximal humeral fractures and who were admitted from 2003 to 2007 in our hospital. Of the 20 patients, 10 were treated with a locking compression plate and the other 10 were treated with an unlocked plate. Each group was evaluated according to the humeral neck shaft angle, the period until bony union, the complications and the Constant score. The humeral neck shaft angle was based on plain x-rays taken immediately after the operation and at 6 months postoperatively. The Constant score was evaluated on the last visit to our clinic. Results: There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the neck shaft angle, the period until bony union and the Constant score. Yet, there were three cases of screw migration in the unlocked plate group. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the neck shaft angle, the period until bony union and the Constant score. The locking compression plate is considered to achieve more effective fixation for proximal humerus fractures because there were less complications such as screw migration.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 1998

Unstable fractures of the proximal humerus continue to be difficult problems for orthopaedic surgeons. The optimum treatment of these fractures has remained a matter of controversy. We analyzed the clinical results of open reduction and plate fixation underwent for patients of unstable fractures of proximal humerus after minimum 12 months follow up. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of open reduction and rigid plate fixation. Twenty-two patients were managed with open reduction and plate fixation. Mean follow up duration was 20.6 months(range, 12 to 28 mon.). Because the age of patient as a maker of degree of osteoporosis was considered the key factor in the success of anatomic reconstruction, we divided into two groups according to age. Group A was comprised of 12 cases with younger than 50 yrs of age. Ten cases of older than 50 yrs of age were Group B. According to Neer's classification, five cases(22%) were two part fracture, 12 cases(64%) were three part fracture, and three cases(14%) were four part fracture. We used the Neer rating system for evaluating the results. In Group A, overall scores were 79.1. In Group B, overall scores were 76.8. Overall scores in two part fracture were 85, overall scores in three part fracture 78.4 and overall scores in three part fracture 68.3. We achieved excellent or good results in nine cases(75%) of Group A and seven cases(70%) of Group B. Also, we obtained excellent or good results in all cases of two part fracture, ten cases(71%) of three fracture and one case(33%) of four part fracture. The complications were three metal loosening, one avascular necrosis of humeral head, one severe stiff shoulder, one superficial wound infection and one ectopic ossification. The results were excellent or good in 16 cases(73%) out of 22 cases. In conclusion, rigid fixation and supervised early exercise would be a good option for unstable fracture of the proximal humerus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.46-49
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• 2018

A common kestrel was admitted to Chungnam wild animal rescue center, having been unable to fly. On the physical examination, the bird was presented with contusion and swelling on its right humerus closed fraction and had pain response. Radiographic examination was explicitly revealed closed fracture on right proximal humerus. Its closed fracture was reduced with tie-in fixator and figure-of-eight tension band, and inserted pins on its right humerus surgery were removed on the $14^{th}$ day after the surgery. As Falco tinnunculus was able to move its wings from Day $21^{st}$ day, its rehabilitation was done at outdoor facility and it was successfully released. Proximal humerus reduction with tie-in fixator and the wire was a success, and this treatment with reference to this study will be surely effective to support the other wildbird's reduction stability.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefullness of polarus nailing in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures including 2 part, 3 part and proximal comminuted fractures. Materials and methods: Fifteen cases of proximal humerus fracture treated with Polarus nailing from March, 2002 to March, 2004 were selected. Man was 3 cases, and woman was 11 cases. There were one case of follow up loss due to decease. Average age was 60 years old (range, 23 to 84), and there were 6 cases of 2 part fracture, 3 cases of proximal segmental fracture, 5 cases of 3 part fracture. We analyzed the outcom results between 2 part fracture and 3 part fracture. The average follow up period after the operation was 1.5(range, 1 to 2) years. Range of motion (ROM), pain and functional outcome were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) and american shoulder and elbow surgery (ASES) activity of daily living (ADL) functional scoring system. Results: All cases showed union on radiologic evaluation, with 2.3 months follow up. In 5 cases of 3 part fracture, average union time was 1.9 months regardless of proximal screw loosening in 4 cases. In 2 part fracture union time was 2.2 months (P>0.05). VAS pain score was 1.3, ROM was $160^{\circ}$ in forward flexion, $40^{\circ}$ in external rotation, L3 level in internal rotation, and ASES, ADL functional score was 21 in 2 part fracture. VAS pain score was 1.25, ROM was $160^{\circ}$, $43^{\circ}$ and L1 level, and ASES, ADL functional score was 21 in 3 part fracture. There were no statistically significant difference between two groups (P>0.05) VAS pain score was 1.6, ROM was $170^{\circ}$, $47^{\circ}$ and L3 level, and ASES, ADL functional score was 23 in proximal comminuted fracture. Conclusion: Polarus nailing could be used as an effective modality in certain cases of proximal humeral fracture including 2 part, proximal segmental and in cases of 3 part fractures with large greater tuberosity fragment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 1998

To purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical results between rheumatoid arthritis shoulder cases and traumatic proximal humerus fracture cases. Fourteen patients who had been shoulder hemiarthroplasties between March 1991 to July 1996, six had rheumatoid arthritis and eight had comminuted proximal humerus fracture by the various trauma. Neer II prothesis were implanted in twenty cases and global prothesis were implanted in two cases. The follow up period was 15 months to 36 months. To evaluate this study, we used the UCLA shoulder rating. We were able to follow up thirteen cases for more than fifteen months, of which five cases had excellent, five cases had good, two cases had fair and one case had poor. And the results were better for patients with rheumaroid arthritis than for patients with trauma.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2016

Background: The aim of study was to confirm the clinical effectiveness and results of wide and single anterior approach for fractures occurring along length of humerus. Methods: A total of 23 patients with humeral fracture were enrolled into our study who were able to participate in at least one year of follow-up. Seven patients had segmental comminuted humeral fractures and 16 patients had distal humeral fractures. We made various tractions of the muscles to expose the proximal and the middle third humerus between the biceps and brachialis and the distal humerus by partial splitting of lateral side of biceps through a single incision. Postoperatively, we measured the Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI). Results: we achieved bone union in all 23 patients. Solid union of the bone was achieved at an average 13.9 weeks. Postoperatively, two complications were observed screw loosening and nonunion. Revision surgery was performed in both patients. The patient with bone nonunion was treated using bone grafts. No postoperative infections or peripheral neuropathies were observed. At the final follow-up (average 20 months), we found that the average MEPI functional score of the patients was 91.7 points regardless of the fracture site. Conclusions: Our whole humerus with a single incision was effective for the treatment of segmental comminuted and distal fractures. we believe it is a useful alternative to preexisting methods of fracture fixation.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.196-196
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• 2009

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2007

Introduction: The treatment of proximal humeral fracture is traditionally determined by Neer's classification system. The severely displaced three-part or four-part fracture is an indication for primary hemiarthroplasty. The current authors report the clinical results of 10 patients who received hemiarthroplasty for proximal comminuted fractures. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months. Materials and Methods: The current authors studied 10 patients who, between July 1999 and March 2005, each received hemiarthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture of one shoulder. According to Neer's classification system, 5 of the patients had three-part fractures, and 5 of the patients had 4-part fractures. The mean interval between trauma and hemiarthroplasty was 6.1 days. The mean age of the 6 female and 4 male patients was 67.4 years(range: 56 to 76). Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant score, the Simple Shoulder Test, and the modified UCLA score. Results: The mean Constant score was 51.4(range: 34 to 60). The mean modified SST score was 7.8 out of 12 tasks. Excluding the one patient who had also sustained an axillary artery rupture and a brachial plexus injury after the initial trauma, the mean Constant score for the remaining 9 patients was 53.5(range: 44 to 60), and the mean SST score was 7.2 tasks. The modified UCLA score averages for pain, function, and active forward flexion and strength were, respectively, 8.2($6{\sim}10$), 6.6($2{\sim}8$), and 6.9($4{\sim}8$). The total UCLA score was an average of 21.7($12{\sim}26$). Patients' the modified UCLA ratings were as follows: Excellent: 3, Good: 6, and Poor: 1. The patient with the poor outcome was the one who had also sustained the neurovascular injury. Patient's subjective satisfaction rating were as follows: Excellent: 2, Good: 7, and Poor: 1. Conclusion: Based on short term follow-up results, this study indicates that hemiarthroplasty is the treatment of choice for proximal humeral fractures on which it would be difficult to perform open reduction and internal fixation. Hemiarthroplasty is a useful treatment modality to prevent shoulder stiffness and to allow daily living tasks in elderly patients. However, restoration of muscle power and range of joint motion were not recovered satisfactorily.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.161-161
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• 2009

To prevent distraction and varus deformity between the humeral head and shaft, tension band sutures placed between the head of the interlocking screw and the rotator cuff, and we recommend using nonabsorbable sutures. We describe our simple procedure to overcome these difficulties in tension band suturing after reducing a proximal humerus fracture to maintain the reduction.