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British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Jul 2022Proximal humeral fractures are common with a bimodal distribution and sex discrepancy, affecting younger men and older women. The presentation of a proximal humeral...
Proximal humeral fractures are common with a bimodal distribution and sex discrepancy, affecting younger men and older women. The presentation of a proximal humeral fracture can vary greatly because of this bimodal distribution and the associated differences in mechanism of injury. Initial management should involve assessment of life- and limb-threatening injuries as outlined by the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma, with particular attention paid to axillary nerve function and vascular status. Initial imaging should involve orthogonal X-rays in three planes to determine fracture characteristics and exclude glenohumeral dislocation. Computed tomography imaging improves interobserver agreement and is the gold standard in determining fracture management. Management depends on fracture pattern, patient functionality and bone stock. Most patients with proximal humeral fractures achieve good functional outcomes via conservative methods (sling support and early, graded mobilisation), although there is a lack of evidence in certain populations, including younger patients. Surgery is required for open fractures and more complex fracture patterns where there is a risk of avascular necrosis of the humeral head, unacceptable impairment of functionality or neurovascular compromise. Surgical techniques can be head-sparing or involve replacement of the humeral head. There are several head-sparing techniques, each with different cost-benefit and complication profiles with no one technique superior to any other. However, improvements in plate technology may render open reduction internal fixation a more suitable technique, particularly in younger patients. Head replacement techniques (hemiarthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty) are indicated when the risk of avascular necrosis is too high or in older patients with osteoporotic bone. In these patients, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is preferred as it achieves better functional results than hemiarthroplasty. Complication rates vary depending on the fracture configuration and the course of management undertaken.
Topics: Aged; Bone Plates; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Humerus; Male; Necrosis; Shoulder Dislocation; Shoulder Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35938761
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2021.0554 -
Health Technology Assessment... Mar 2015Proximal humeral fractures account for 5-6% of all fractures in adults. There is considerable variation in whether or not surgery is used in the management of displaced... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
The ProFHER (PROximal Fracture of the Humerus: Evaluation by Randomisation) trial - a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of surgical compared with non-surgical treatment for proximal fracture of the humerus in adults.
BACKGROUND
Proximal humeral fractures account for 5-6% of all fractures in adults. There is considerable variation in whether or not surgery is used in the management of displaced fractures involving the surgical neck.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of surgical compared with non-surgical treatment of the majority of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck in adults.
DESIGN
A pragmatic parallel-group multicentre randomised controlled trial with an economic evaluation. Follow-up was for 2 years.
SETTING
Recruitment was undertaken in the orthopaedic departments of 33 acute NHS hospitals in the UK. Patient care pathways included outpatient and community-based rehabilitation.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults (aged ≥ 16 years) presenting within 3 weeks of their injury with a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck.
INTERVENTIONS
The choice of surgical intervention was left to the treating surgeons, who used techniques with which they were experienced. Non-surgical treatment was initial sling immobilisation followed by active rehabilitation. Provision of rehabilitation was comparable in both groups.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome was the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcomes were the 12-item Short Form health survey, surgical and other shoulder fracture-related complications, secondary surgery to the shoulder or increased/new shoulder-related therapy, medical complications during inpatient stay and mortality. European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions data and treatment costs were also collected.
RESULTS
The mean age of the 250 trial participants was 66 years and 192 (77%) were female. Independent assessment using the Neer classification identified 18 one-part fractures, 128 two-part fractures and 104 three- or four-part fractures. OSS data were available for 215 participants at 2 years. We found no statistically or clinically significant differences in OSS scores between the two treatment groups (scale 0-48, with a higher score indicating a better outcome) over the 2-year period [difference of 0.75 points in favour of the surgery group, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.33 to 2.84; p = 0.479; data from 114 surgery and 117 non-surgery participants] or at individual time points. We found no statistically significant differences between surgical and non-surgical group participants in SF-12 physical or mental component summary scores; surgical or shoulder fracture-related complications (30 vs. 23 respectively); those undergoing further shoulder-related therapy, either surgery (11 vs. 11 respectively) or other therapy (seven vs. four respectively); or mortality (nine vs. five respectively). The base-case economic analysis showed that, at 2 years, the cost of surgical intervention was, on average, £1780.73 more per patient (95% CI £1152.71 to £2408.75) than the cost of non-surgical intervention. It was also slightly less beneficial in terms of utilities, although this difference was not statistically significant. The net monetary benefit associated with surgery is negative. There was only a 5% probability of surgery achieving the criterion of costing < £20,000 to gain a quality-adjusted life-year, which was confirmed by extensive sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Current surgical practice does not result in a better outcome for most patients with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck and is not cost-effective in the UK setting. Two areas for future work are the setting up of a national database of these fractures, including the collection of patient-reported outcomes, and research on the best ways of informing patients with these and other upper limb fractures about initial self-care.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50850043.
FUNDING
This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 24. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Topics: Aged; Casts, Surgical; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Radiography; Shoulder Fractures; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom
PubMed: 25822598
DOI: 10.3310/hta19240 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2015Fracture of the proximal humerus, often termed shoulder fracture, is a common injury in older people. The management of these fractures varies widely. This is an update... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Fracture of the proximal humerus, often termed shoulder fracture, is a common injury in older people. The management of these fractures varies widely. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2001 and last updated in 2012.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of treatment and rehabilitation interventions for proximal humeral fractures in adults.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and other databases, conference proceedings and bibliographies of trial reports. The full search ended in November 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised controlled trials pertinent to the management of proximal humeral fractures in adults.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Both review authors performed independent study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Only limited meta-analysis was performed.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 31 heterogeneous RCTs (1941 participants). Most of the 18 separate treatment comparisons were tested by small single-centre trials. The main exception was the surgical versus non-surgical treatment comparison tested by eight trials. Except for a large multicentre trial, bias in these trials could not be ruled out. The quality of the evidence was either low or very low for all comparisons except the largest comparison.Nine trials evaluated non-surgical treatment in mainly minimally displaced fractures. Four trials compared early (usually one week) versus delayed (three or four weeks) mobilisation after fracture but only limited pooling was possible and most of the data were from one trial (86 participants). This found some evidence that early mobilisation resulted in better recovery and less pain in people with mainly minimally displaced fractures. There was evidence of little difference between the two groups in shoulder complications (2/127 early mobilisation versus 3/132 delayed mobilisation; 4 trials) and fracture displacement and non-union (2/52 versus 1/54; 2 trials).One quasi-randomised trial (28 participants) found the Gilchrist-type sling was generally more comfortable than the Desault-type sling (body bandage). One trial (48 participants) testing pulsed electromagnetic high-frequency energy provided no evidence. Two trials (62 participants) provided evidence indicating little difference in outcome between instruction for home exercises versus supervised physiotherapy. One trial (48 participants) reported, without presentable data, that home exercise alone gave better early and comparable long-term results than supervised exercise in a swimming pool plus home exercise.Eight trials, involving 567 older participants, evaluated surgical intervention for displaced fractures. There was high quality evidence of no clinically important difference in patient-reported shoulder and upper-limb function at one- or two-year follow-up between surgical (primarily locking plate fixation or hemiarthroplasty) and non-surgical treatment (sling immobilisation) for the majority of displaced proximal humeral fractures; and moderate quality evidence of no clinically important difference between the two groups in quality of life at two years (and at interim follow-ups at six and 12 months). There was moderate quality evidence of little difference between groups in mortality in the surgery group (17/248 versus 12/248; risk ratio (RR) 1.40 favouring non-surgical treatment, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69 to 2.83; P = 0.35; 6 trials); only one death was explicitly linked with the treatment. There was moderate quality evidence of a higher risk of additional surgery in the surgery group (34/262 versus 16/261; RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.60; P = 0.01; 7 trials). Although there was moderate evidence of a higher risk of adverse events after surgery, the 95% confidence intervals for adverse events also included the potential for a greater risk of adverse events after non-surgical treatment.Different methods of surgical management were tested in 12 trials. One trial (57 participants) comparing two types of locking plate versus a locking nail for treating two-part surgical neck fractures found some evidence of slightly better function after plate fixation but also of a higher rate of surgically-related complications. One trial (61 participants) comparing a locking plate versus minimally invasive fixation with distally inserted intramedullary K-wires found little difference between the two implants at two years. Compared with hemiarthroplasty, one trial (32 participants) found similar results with locking plate fixation in function and re-operation rates, whereas another trial (30 participants) reported all five re-operations occurred in the tension-band fixation group. One trial (62 participants) found better patient-rated (Quick DASH) and composite shoulder function scores at a minimum of two years follow-up and a lower incidence of re-operation and complications after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) compared with hemiarthroplasty.No important between-group differences were found in one trial (120 participants) comparing the deltoid-split approach versus deltopectoral approach for non-contact bridging plate fixation, and two trials (180 participants) comparing 'polyaxial' and 'monaxial' screws in locking plate fixation. One trial (68 participants) produced some preliminary evidence that tended to support the use of medial support locking screws in locking plate fixation. One trial (54 participants) found fewer adverse events, including re-operations, for the newer of two types of intramedullary nail. One trial (35 participants) found better functional results for one of two types of hemiarthroplasty. One trial (45 participants) found no important effects of tenodesis of the long head of the biceps for people undergoing hemiarthroplasty.Very limited evidence suggested similar outcomes from early versus later mobilisation after either surgical fixation (one trial: 64 participants) or hemiarthroplasty (one trial: 49 participants).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is high or moderate quality evidence that, compared with non-surgical treatment, surgery does not result in a better outcome at one and two years after injury for people with displaced proximal humeral fractures involving the humeral neck and is likely to result in a greater need for subsequent surgery. The evidence does not cover the treatment of two-part tuberosity fractures, fractures in young people, high energy trauma, nor the less common fractures such as fracture dislocations and head splitting fractures.There is insufficient evidence from RCTs to inform the choices between different non-surgical, surgical, or rehabilitation interventions for these fractures.
Topics: Adult; Bandages; Early Ambulation; Fracture Fixation; Humans; Immobilization; Physical Therapy Modalities; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Self Care; Shoulder Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26560014
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000434.pub4 -
JAMA Mar 2015The need for surgery for the majority of patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures is unclear, but its use is increasing. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
The need for surgery for the majority of patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures is unclear, but its use is increasing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of surgical vs nonsurgical treatment for adults with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A pragmatic, multicenter, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial, the Proximal Fracture of the Humerus Evaluation by Randomization (PROFHER) trial, recruited 250 patients aged 16 years or older (mean age, 66 years [range, 24-92 years]; 192 [77%] were female; and 249 [99.6%] were white) who presented at the orthopedic departments of 32 acute UK National Health Service hospitals between September 2008 and April 2011 within 3 weeks after sustaining a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus involving the surgical neck. Patients were followed up for 2 years (up to April 2013) and 215 had complete follow-up data. The data for 231 patients (114 in surgical group and 117 in nonsurgical group) were included in the primary analysis.
INTERVENTIONS
Fracture fixation or humeral head replacement were performed by surgeons experienced in these techniques. Nonsurgical treatment was sling immobilization. Standardized outpatient and community-based rehabilitation was provided to both groups.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcome was the Oxford Shoulder Score (range, 0-48; higher scores indicate better outcomes) assessed during a 2-year period, with assessment and data collection at 6, 12, and 24 months. Sample size was based on a minimal clinically important difference of 5 points for the Oxford Shoulder Score. Secondary outcomes were the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), complications, subsequent therapy, and mortality.
RESULTS
There was no significant mean treatment group difference in the Oxford Shoulder Score averaged over 2 years (39.07 points for the surgical group vs 38.32 points for the nonsurgical group; difference of 0.75 points [95% CI, -1.33 to 2.84 points]; P = .48) or at individual time points. There were also no significant between-group differences over 2 years in the mean SF-12 physical component score (surgical group: 1.77 points higher [95% CI, -0.84 to 4.39 points]; P = .18); the mean SF-12 mental component score (surgical group: 1.28 points lower [95% CI, -3.80 to 1.23 points]; P = .32); complications related to surgery or shoulder fracture (30 patients in surgical group vs 23 patients in nonsurgical group; P = .28), requiring secondary surgery to the shoulder (11 patients in both groups), and increased or new shoulder-related therapy (7 patients vs 4 patients, respectively; P = .58); and mortality (9 patients vs 5 patients; P = .27). Ten medical complications (2 cardiovascular events, 2 respiratory events, 2 gastrointestinal events, and 4 others) occurred in the surgical group during the postoperative hospital stay.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures involving the surgical neck, there was no significant difference between surgical treatment compared with nonsurgical treatment in patient-reported clinical outcomes over 2 years following fracture occurrence. These results do not support the trend of increased surgery for patients with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
isrctn.com Identifier: ISRCTN50850043.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Fracture Fixation; Humans; Humerus; Immobilization; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Fixation Devices; Postoperative Complications; Shoulder Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25756440
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2015.1629 -
Iatrogenic fracture during shoulder dislocation reduction: characteristics, management and outcomes.European Journal of Medical Research Jul 2021Shoulder dislocation and the cases of iatrogenic fractures during manual reduction are becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study was to investigate the...
BACKGROUND
Shoulder dislocation and the cases of iatrogenic fractures during manual reduction are becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics, management, and patient outcomes of iatrogenic proximal humeral fracture during the manual reduction of shoulder dislocation.
METHODS
A retrospective and multi-center study was performed to identify all patients presenting with shoulder dislocation from January 2010 to January 2020. The sex and age of patients, associated injuries, first-time or habitual shoulder dislocation, type of anesthesia, time from injury to revision surgery, and functional outcomes were analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 359 patients with a mean age of 62.1 ± 7.3 years (range 29-86 years) were included. Twenty-one patients (female/male ratio 17:4) with an average age of 66.3 ± 9.7 years (range 48-86 years) were identified with a post-reduction iatrogenic fracture. Female cases with greater tuberosity fractures (GTF) were more likely than male cases to have iatrogenic fractures during reduction (P = 0.035). Women aged 60 years or older experienced more iatrogenic fractures during manual reduction (P = 0.026). Closed reduction under conscious sedation was more likely than that under general anesthesia to have iatrogenic fractures (P = 0.000). A total of 21 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) when iatrogenic fractures occurred. The mean follow-up period was 19.7 ± 6.7 months (range 12-36 months). The mean Neer scores were 80.5 ± 7.6 (range 62-93), and the mean visual analog score (VAS) was 3.3 ± 1.5 (range 1-6). Significant differences were observed in the Neer score and VAS with the time (more or less 8 h) from injury to revision surgery (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
A high risk of iatrogenic proximal humeral fracture is present in shoulder dislocation with GTF in senile females without general anesthesia. ORIF performed in a timely manner may help improve functional outcomes in the case of iatrogenic injury.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Disease Management; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Shoulder Dislocation; Shoulder Fractures
PubMed: 34247652
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-021-00545-3 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma Aug 2021There are a variety of treatment options available for proximal humerus fractures, including nonoperative management, open reduction internal fixation with screws,...
There are a variety of treatment options available for proximal humerus fractures, including nonoperative management, open reduction internal fixation with screws, locking plates, intramedullary nailing, or suture fixation, and arthroplasty, including hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder replacements. Fracture characteristics, including the number of fracture parts and involvement of the humeral head and glenoid and the patient's functional status and postoperative goals help dictate the optimal choice. Although the indications for hemiarthroplasty as treatment for severe proximal humerus fractures have narrowed, the authors believe that there is a still a place for this technique in practice.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Hemiarthroplasty; Humans; Humeral Head; Humerus; Shoulder; Shoulder Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34227587
DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002158 -
The Journal of the American Academy of... Mar 2022With the increased use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty, the complication of postoperative scapular fracture is increasingly recognized. The incidence is variable and...
With the increased use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty, the complication of postoperative scapular fracture is increasingly recognized. The incidence is variable and dependent on a combination of factors including patient age, sex, bone mineral density, diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, acromial thickness, and implant-related factors. Acromial stress reactions are a clinical diagnosis based on a history and physical examination. These are treated successfully with 4 to 6 weeks of immobilization. Acromial stress fractures are visible on imaging studies and are classified based on anatomic location by the classification systems of Crosby and Levy. In approximately 20% of fractures, a CT scan is necessary to make the diagnosis. Treatment is typically nonsurgical that leads to a high rate of nonunion or symptomatic malunion. Scapular spine fractures (type III) can be treated with either nonsurgical or surgical management; however, obtaining fracture union is challenging, and the outcomes are typically inferior to that of type I and II fractures. Although the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of acromial stress fractures improves the clinical outcomes from the patient's preoperative state, the outcomes of a control group undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty without fracture are better. The exception to this is oftentimes the displaced and angulated type III fracture.
Topics: Acromion; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Shoulder Fractures; Shoulder Joint; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35050935
DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-01205 -
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery... Apr 2017Posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation is a rare injury accounting for approximately 0.9 % of shoulder fracture-dislocations. Impression fractures of the articular... (Review)
Review
Posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation is a rare injury accounting for approximately 0.9 % of shoulder fracture-dislocations. Impression fractures of the articular surface of the humeral head, followed by humeral neck fractures and fractures of the lesser and grater tuberosity, are the more common associated fractures. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in the etiology of this traumatic entity most commonly resulting from forced muscle contraction as in epileptic seizures, electric shock or electroconvulsive therapy, major trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or other injuries involving axial loading of the arm, in an adducted, flexed and internally rotated position. Despite its' scarce appearance in daily clinical practice, posterior shoulder dislocation is of significant diagnostic and therapeutic interest because of its predilection for age groups of high functional demands (35-55 years old), in addition to high incidence of missed initial diagnosis ranging up to 79 % in some studies. Several treatment options have also been proposed to address this type of injury, ranging from non-surgical methods to humeral head reconstruction procedures or arthroplasty with no clear consensus over definitive treatment guidelines, reflecting the complexity of this injury in addition to the limited evidence provided by the literature. To enhance the literature, this article aims to present the current concepts for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of the patients with posterior fracture-dislocation shoulder, and to present a treatment algorithm based on the literature review and our own experience.
Topics: Algorithms; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder; Arthroscopy; Bone Transplantation; Closed Fracture Reduction; Humans; Immobilization; Open Fracture Reduction; Osteotomy; Shoulder Dislocation; Shoulder Fractures; Tendon Transfer
PubMed: 27562590
DOI: 10.1007/s00590-016-1840-5 -
Praxis Jul 2017
Review
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Algorithms; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder; Conservative Treatment; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Quality of Life; Shoulder Fractures; Switzerland
PubMed: 28677492
DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a002728 -
Der Unfallchirurg Dec 2014Fractures of the anteroinferior glenoid rim, termed bony Bankart lesions, have been reported to occur in up to 22% of first time anterior shoulder dislocations. The...
Fractures of the anteroinferior glenoid rim, termed bony Bankart lesions, have been reported to occur in up to 22% of first time anterior shoulder dislocations. The primary goal of treatment is to create a stable glenohumeral joint and a good shoulder function. Options for therapeutic intervention are largely dependent on the chronicity of the lesion, the activity level of the patient and postreduction fracture characteristics, such as the size, location and number of fracture fragments. Non-operative treatment can be successful for small, acute fractures, which are anatomically reduced after shoulder reduction. However, in patients with a high risk profile for recurrent instability initial Bankart repair is recommended. Additionally, bony fixation is recommended for acute fractures that involve more than 15-20% of the inferior glenoid diameter. On the other hand chronic fractures are generally managed on a case-by-case basis depending on the amount of fragment resorption and bony erosion of the anterior glenoid with high recurrence rates under conservative therapy. When significant bone loss of the anterior glenoid is present, anatomical (e.g. iliac crest bone graft and osteoarticular allograft) or non-anatomical (e.g. Latarjet and Bristow) reconstruction of the anterior glenoid is often indicated.
Topics: Arthroscopy; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Joint Instability; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Shoulder Dislocation; Shoulder Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25492582
DOI: 10.1007/s00113-014-2703-3