Humeral Neck Fractures in Association with Traumatic Shoulder Dislocation

Authors: Sherif MA, Ahmed NM and Ramy AD*

DOI: 10.23880/jobd-16000148

Volume 1, Issue 8

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the open surgical management of concomitant neck humeral fractures and anterior glenohumeral dislocation with greater tuberosity fractures. Materials and methods: Twenty eight anterior shoulder dislocations with greater tuberosity fracture in 28 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Out of them, 9 patients were found to have associated humeral neck fractures (OTA/AO 11-B3). Management of these patients consisted of open reduction and prophylactic fixation of the surgical neck fractures with proximal humeral plate. Results: Radiographic analysis included fracture reduction, stability of the fixation construct, and achievement of bony union and assessment of the femoral head avascular necrosis occurrence. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the shoulder range of motion, the presence of persistent shoulder pain and the occurrence of any post-operative complication that would necessitate intervention or deviation from the ordinary follow up. After a mean follow up of 19 months post-operative; all the patients achieved bony union of the fracture with good clinical outcomes. None of the cases developed humeral head avascular necrosis. Satisfactory clinical results have been obtained in all of the nine cases. Conclusions: Early recognition of associated humeral neck fractures in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation and greater tuberosity fracture can minimize the incidence of iatrogenic fracture displacement. ORIF may offer a reasonable treatment option for such cases with lower incidence of complications.

Keywords:

Proximal Humerus Fractures; Shoulder Dislocation; Three Part Fractures; Fixation

View PDF