ObjectiveTo explore the biomechanical stability of the medial column reconstructed with the exo-cortical placement of humeral calcar screw by three-dimensional finite element analysis. MethodsA 70-year-old female volunteer was selected for CT scan of the proximal humerus, and a wedge osteotomy was performed 5 mm medially inferior to the humeral head to form a three-dimensional finite element model of a 5 mm defect in the medial cortex. Then, the proximal humeral locking plate (PHILOS) was placed. According to distribution of 2 calcar screws, the study were divided into 3 groups: group A, in which 2 calcar screws were inserted into the lower quadrant of the humeral head in the normal direction for supporting the humeral head; group B, in which 1 calcar screw was inserted outside the cortex below the humeral head, and the other was inserted into the humeral head in the normal direction; group C, in which 2 calcar screws were inserted outside the cortex below the humeral head. The models were loaded with axial, shear, and rotational loadings, and the biomechanical stability of the 3 groups was compared by evaluating the peak von mises stress (PVMS) of the proximal humerus and the internal fixator, proximal humeral displacement, neck-shaft angle changes, and the rotational stability of the proximal humerus. Seven cases of proximal humeral fractures with comminuted medial cortex were retrospectively analyzed between January 2017 and December 2020. Locking proximal humeral plate surgery was performed, and one (5 cases) or two (2 cases) calcar screws were inserted into the inferior cortex of the humeral head during the operation, and the effectiveness was observed. Results Under axial and shear force, the PVMS of the proximal humerus in group B and group C was greater than that in group A, the PVMS of the internal fixator in group B and group C was less than that in group A, while the PVMS of the proximal humerus and internal fixator between group B and group C were similar. The displacement of the proximal humerus and the neck-shaft angle change among the 3 groups were similar under axial and shear force, respectively. Under the rotational torque, compared with group A, the rotation angle of humerus in group B and group C increased slightly, and the rotation stability decreased slightly. All the 7 patients were followed up 6-12 months. All the fractures healed, and the healing time was 8-14 weeks, with an average of 10.9 weeks; the neck-shaft angle changes (the difference between the last follow-up and the immediate postoperative neck-shaft angle) was (1.30±0.42)°, and the Constant score of shoulder joint function was 87.4±4.2; there was no complication such as humeral head varus collapse and screw penetrating the articular surface. ConclusionFor proximal humeral fractures with comminuted medial cortex, exo-cortical placement of 1 or 2 humeral calcar screw of the locking plate outside the inferior cortex of the humeral head can also effectively reconstruct medial column stability, providing an alternative approach for clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between paratricipital approach and chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach for the treatment of type C3 (AO/OTA) distal humeral fractures and investigate the details of operation.MethodsBetween April 2010 and September 2016, 36 type C3 (AO/OTA) distal humeral fractures were treated with open reduction and bicolumnar orthogonal locking plating fixation by paratricipital approach and chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach respectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups by approach, there were 17 cases in paratricipital group (group A) and the bicolumns and distal humeral joint surface were exposed by traction of triceps and olecranon, and the distal humeral joint surface of the 19 cases in chevron olecranon V osteotomy group (group B) were exposed by osteotomy of the olecranon and reversing of triceps. There was no significant difference in gender, age, dominant side, interval between injury and surgery, causes of injury between 2 groups (P>0.05). Patients were followed up, the postoperative range of motion of elbow joint, strength, pain, and stability in 2 groups were documented and compared; the elbow joint function was evaluated according to Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).ResultsThe operation time of group A [(115.0±10.4) minutes] was less than that of group B [(121.0±12.3) minutes], but there was no significant difference (t=–1.580, P=0.123). All patients in 2 groups got over 1 year follow-up and there was no significant difference of the follow-up time between 2 groups (t=–0.843, P=0.405). There was 1 case of heterotopic ossification in each group; 1 case of incision infection in group A and 1 case of incision superficial infection in group B, and were cured after 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics administration. There was no other operative complications in the 2 groups. At 3 months after operation, all the distal humerus healed. At last follow-up, the elbow flexion extension range of groups A and B were (102.0±12.6)° and (99.5±10.1)° respectively, showing no significant difference (t=–0.681, P=0.501). The MEPS scores of groups A and B were 82.9±7.3 and 81.3±7.2 respectively, showing no significant difference (t=0.670, P=0.507); and the evaluation grade also showed no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=–0.442, P=0.659).ConclusionBy paratricipital approach and proper traction of the olecranon, the distal humeral articular surface can be exposed in the operation of type C3 distal humeral fractures, followed with same stable fixation after reduction, the effectiveness is equal to by chevron olecranon V osteotomy approach.
ObjectiveTo analyze the outcome and prognostic factors of using locking plate for treating proximal humerus fracture. MethodsBetween January 2005 and January 2012, 45 aged patients with a displaced 3-part or 4-part fracture of the proximal humerus were treated by locking plate. Range of motion and Constant-Mudey score were observed during the follow-up. ResultsForty-three patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of 18 months. The mean final Constant-Mudey score was 72.3±9.5 and 6 of them needed a second surgery. In addition to fracture type, other prognostic factors included redisplacement (4 cases, 9.3%), nonunion (3 cases, 7.0%), crashing (3 cases, 7.0%), necrosis of the humeral head (6 cases, 14.0%) and screw cut-out (5 cases, 11.6%). Among the patients with disrupted medial calcar, 4 needed a second surgery at the final follow-up, 3 had redisplacement, 2 had nonunion, and 2 had screw cut-out. ConclusionLocked screw-plates provide more secure fixation of fracture in aged patients, but the complication rate remains high. We suggest anatomic reduction, and plate and screws position, length of the screws, the medial cortical contact and stability may be the chief prognostic factors affecting the shoulder function following a proximal humeral fracture.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of locking plates for Neer 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 77 patients with 3- or 4-part proximal humerus fractures, who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of locking plates and were followed up more than 12 months between July 2008 and May 2011. There were 39 males and 38 females with an average age of 54.2 years (range, 18-81 years). Fractures were caused by falling in 47 cases, by traffic accident in 16 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases, by sporting in 5 cases, and by other reasons in 5 cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-16 days (mean, 4.5 days). According to Neer classification, there were 54 cases of 3-part fracture and 23 cases of 4-part fracture. The Constant scores, visual analogue score (VAS), and the complications were evaluated during follow-up. Results After operation, healing of incisions by first intention was obtained in 76 cases and healing by second intention in 1 case. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 18.5 months). At last follow-up, the Constant score was 71.1 ± 11.9; the results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 24 cases, fair in 25 cases, and poor in 10 cases with an excellent and good rate of 54.5%. The VAS score was 2.8 ± 2.2. Bone nonunion occurred in 2 cases; the other patients had bone union within 2-6 months (mean, 3.2 months). The complications occurred in 25 cases (32.5%). Revision surgery was performed in 15 patients (19.5%). Conclusion The treatment of Neer 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures remains challenging. Anatomic reduction, stable fixation, and reduced humeral head blood supply disruption may lead to a satisfactory outcome.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of tuberosity suture combined with autogenous bone grafting in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for elderly patients with proximal humerus fracture. Methods A clinical data of 28 patients with fresh proximal humerus fractures, who met the selection criteria and admitted between June 2014 and April 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 21 females. Age ranged from 65 to 81 years, with an average of 73.8 years. The causes of injury were 21 cases of fall, 6 cases of traffic accident, and 1 case of falling from height. The time from injury to operation ranged from 5 to 20 days with an average of 9.2 days. There were 8 cases of Neer three-part fracture and 20 cases of four-part fracture. The reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was performed, and the greater and lesser tuberosities were sutered and reconstructed with autogenous bone grafting. After operation, the Constant score, American Society for Shoulder Surgery (ASES) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate shoulder function and pain; and the active range of motion of the shoulder joint was recorded, including flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation. X-ray films were taken to observe the position of prosthesis. According to the evaluation criteria proposed by Boileau, the healing of greater tuberosity was evaluated, and the effectiveness was compared between the patients with healed and non-healed (displacement and absorption) greater tuberosity. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 24-106 months, with an average of 60.9 months. At last follow-up, the VAS score of shoulder joint ranged from 0 to 6 (mean, 1.1). The Constant score ranged from 45 to 100 (mean, 80.1). The ASES score ranged from 57 to 100 (mean, 84.7). The active range of motions of shoulder joint were 60°-160° (mean, 118°) in flexion, 0°-50° (mean, 30°) in external rotation, and corresponding to reaching the S5-T8 vertebral body level in internal rotation. During follow-up, no shoulder joint re-dislocation or severe shoulder instability occurred, and no revision surgery was performed. X-ray film reexamination showed that there was no loosening of the prosthesis. According to the evaluation criteria proposed by Boileau, the greater tuberosity fused in 22 cases (78.6%), displaced in 3 cases (10.7%), and absorbed in 3 cases (10.7%). The shoulder joint function and pain related evaluation indicators in the healed group were significantly better than those in the non-healed group (P<0.05). ConclusionTuberosity suture combined with autogenous bone grafting is a relatively simple procedure that provides a reliable fixation for the anatomic recovery of greater and lesser tuberosities and is beneficial for the recovery of shoulder function in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures.
Objective To compare the biomechanical properties of personalized Y-shaped plates with horizontal plates, vertical plates, and traditional Y-shaped plates in the treatment of distal humeral intra-articular fractures through finite element analysis, and to evaluate their potential for clinical application. Methods The study selected a 38-year-old male volunteer and obtained a three-dimensional model of the humerus by scanning his upper limbs using a 64-slice spiral CT. Four types of fracture-internal fixation models were constructed using Mimics 19.0, Geomagic Wrap 2017, Creo 6.0, and other software: horizontal plates, vertical plates, traditional Y-shaped plate, and personalized Y-shaped plate. The models were then meshed using Hypermesh 14.0 software, and material properties and boundary conditions were defined in Abaqus 6.14 software. AnyBody 7.3 software was used to simulate elbow flexion and extension movements, calculate muscle strength, joint forces, and load torques, and compare the peak stress and maximum displacement of the four fixation methods at different motion angles (10°, 30°, 50°, 70°, 90°, 110°, 130°, 150°) during elbow flexion and extension. Results Under dynamic loading during elbow flexion and extension, the personalized Y-shaped plate exhibits significant biomechanical advantages. During elbow flexion, the peak internal fixation stress of the personalized Y-shaped plate was (28.8±0.9) MPa, which was significantly lower than that of the horizontal plates, vertical plates, and traditional Y-shaped plate (P<0.05). During elbow extension, the peak internal fixation stress of the personalized Y-shaped plate was (18.1±1.6) MPa, which was lower than those of the other three models, with significant differences when compared with horizontal plates and vertical plates (P<0.05). Regarding the peak humeral stress, the personalized Y-shaped plate model showed mean values of (10.9±0.8) and (13.1±1.4) MPa during elbow flexion and extension, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the other three models (P<0.05). Displacement analysis showed that the maximum displacement of the humerus with the personalized Y-shaped plate during elbow flexion was (2.03±0.08) mm, slightly higher than that of the horizontal plates, but significantly lower than that of the vertical plates, showing significant differences (P<0.05). During elbow extension, the maximum displacement of the humerus with the personalized Y-shaped plate was (1.93±0.13) mm, which was lower than that of the other three models, with significant differences when compared with vertical plates and traditional Y-shaped plates (P<0.05). Stress contour analysis showed that the stress of the personalized Y-shaped plate was primarily concentrated at the bifurcation of the Y-shaped structure. Displacement contour analysis showed that the personalized Y-shaped plate effectively controlled the displacement of the distal humerus during both flexion and extension, demonstrating excellent stability. ConclusionThe personalized Y-shaped plate demonstrates excellent biomechanical performance in the treatment of distal humeral intra-articular fractures, with lower stress and displacement, providing more stable fixation effects.
Objective To explore the cl inical effects of different operative procedures in treatment of upper humerus fracture nonunion. Methods From May 2001 to September 2007, 43 cases of upper humerus fractures nonunion were treated, including 31 males and 12 females with an average age of 37 years (range, 20-57 years). The causes were trafficaccident injury in 14 cases, fall ing injury from height in 11 cases, tumbl ing injury in 7 cases, heavy pound injury in 6 cases, machine injury in 4 cases, and pathological injury in 1 case. The time from fracture to hospital ization was 10-52 months (23 months on average). After open reduction, patients were treated respectively by bone-graft plus locking compression plate fixation (9 cases), scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate fixation (15 cases), and scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate plus tibia bone lamella fixation (19 cases). Results All incisions healed by first intention. The X-ray films showed good fracture reduction. No symptoms of infection and nerve injury occurred. Forty-three patients were followed up 12 to 25 months with an average of 18 months. All of them achieved radiographic union within 3.0 to 7.5 months (4.9 months on average). According to comprehensive assessing standard of X-ray film and functions of shoulder and elbow, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 83.7%. Conclusion In the treatment of upper humerus fractures nonunion, locking compression plate can provide stable fixation. It can achieve satisfactory results so long as the right method of bone graft is chosen according to fracture site situation. But for patients undergoing repeated surgery or having nonunion for long times and poor fracture site situation, after open reduction, scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate plus tibia bone lamella fixation has good outcome.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of simultaneous and delayed repair of combined full-thickness rotator cuff rupture in proximal humerus fracture. Methods Between January 2015 and January 2017, 44 patients with proximal humerus fractures complicated with full-thickness rotator cuff injuries were included. Twenty-four patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and rotator cuff repair simultaneously (simultaneous operation group), and 20 patients underwent delayed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair more than 90 days after ORIF (delayed operation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, and side of injury between the two groups (P>0.05). The fracture healing was observed by X-ray films. The shoulder function was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation by using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17 months). Fractures all healed at 3 months after operation in simultaneous operation group. According to UCLA score, the patients had achieved significantly better outcomes in function, active forward flexion, strength of forward flexion, and subjective satisfaction in simultaneous operation group than in delayed operation group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in pain between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with proximal humerus fracture complicated with full-thickness rotator cuff rupture, performing ORIF and simultaneous repair of rotator cuff can improve shoulder function and achieve better effectiveness when compared with delayed repair of rotator cuff.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of unexposed ulnar nerve medial elbow incision, open reduction and internal fixation of anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) for distal humerus fractures.MethodsFourteen patients with distal humerus fracture were treated between January 2014 and June 2017. There were 5 males and 9 females, aged 18-85 years (mean, 65.5 years). The causes of injury included falling from height in 12 cases and traffic accident in 2 cases, all were closed fractures. Fractures were classified according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF): 3 cases of type A2, 2 cases of type A3, 4 cases of type B2, 2 cases of type C1, 2 cases of type C2, and 1 case of type C3; without ulnar nerve damage. The time from injury to operation was 4-15 days, with an average of 7 days. The type B2 fractures were treated with unexposed ulnar nerve elbow medial incision and anatomic LCP internal fixation, the rest patients were all treated with unexposed ulnar nerve medial plus conventional lateral approach and bilateral LCP internal fixation.ResultsThe operation time was 50-140 minutes (mean, 80 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 20-200 mL (mean, 70 mL). There was no blood vessels or nerve damage during operation. All incisions healed by first intension, and no incision infection occurred. All the 14 cases were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 13 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed within 4 months without complications such as nonunion and osteomyelitis. No ulnar nerve injury, cubitus varus deformity, and ossifying myositis occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the elbow function was assessed by Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS), the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case (type C3 fracture), with the excellent and good rate of 85.7%.ConclusionThe unexposed ulnar nerve medial elbow incision can be used effectively to reduct the fracture, and it is not prone to ulnar nerve injury. Combined with the lateral approach to treat the distal humerus fracture, which has the advantages of short operation time, few trauma, little bleeding, and reliable effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effectiveness of proximal humeral internal locking system (Philos) plate for proximal humerus fracture. MethodsThirty-three patients with proximal humerus fracture were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with Philos plate between January 2009 and January 2014. There were 19 males and 14 females, aged 23-89 years (mean, 56.6 years). The left side was involved in 15 cases, and the right side in 18 cases. The injury causes included falling in 20 cases and traffic accident in 13 cases. All cases received X-ray and CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction before operation. According to the Neer classification, 8 cases were rated as two-part fractures, 15 cases as three-part fractures, and 10 cases as four-part fractures. The interval time between injury and surgery was 1-7 days (mean, 3.67 days). Postoperative functional outcome was evaluated using the Constant-Murley score. ResultsInfection and liquefaction occurred in 2 cases respectively, which was cured after corresponding treatment; primary healing of wound was obtained in the other 29 cases. Five patients had shoulder pain. The patients were followed up 11-47 months (mean, 33 months). The mean time of fracture union was 7.5 months (range, 5-9 months) on the X-ray films. Humeral head necrosis occurred in 2 patients with Neer four-part fractures, and internal fixation failure occurred in 3 patients (2 screw broken and 1 plate broken) with four-part fractures (2 cases) and three-part fractures (1 case), which was cured after conservative treatment. At last follow-up, the mean Constant-Murley score was 70.5 (range, 42-90); the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 21 cases, moderate in 6 cases, and poor in 3 cases. ConclusionSatisfactory results can be expected for proximal humeral fracture by using of the proximal humeral internal locking system plate based on strict indication and early rehabilitation training.