Management of proximal humerus fracture with plate osteosynthesis

Proximal humerus fractures account for about 4 to 5% of all fractures. They are the third most common fractures in the elderly population after hip and distal radius fractures. Regarding the treatment of proximal humerus fractures, controversies still exist whether to do conservative or operative management. Various operative procedures are carried out. A recent trend in internal fixation has moved on to locking plates. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome and complication of proximal humerus fractures treated by Open Reduction Internal fixation using proximal humerus Interlocking plate.A prospective study involving thirty patients who were above18yrs of age with proximal humerus fractures admitted to our institution were treated by open reduction, and internal fixation with locking plate were evaluated. In this study, the majority of the patients were males, elderly aged, withslip and fall being the most frequent mode of Injury, resulting in 2 part and 3 partfractures of the proximal humerus. The fracture united in all and in an average of 14 weeks with excellent and satisfactory results in 28 cases (93.3%) by Neer’s criteria.In conclusion, the fractures of the proximal third of humerus treated by open reduction internal fixation using PHILOS plating produced excellent to satisfactory outcomes and patient satisfaction, provided there is near normal anatomical reduction of the parts and physiotherapy regime was followed by the patient.