Summary
The evidence describing early versus delayed motion for minimally displaced fractures
of the proximal humerus suggests that for the first 3 – 4 months of follow-up, early
motion of the shoulder tended to confer greater overall shoulder function, less pain
and greater range of motion than delayed motion. However, at later follow-up, there
was no statistical difference in outcomes between early and delayed motion. In one
study with 2 year follow-up, one third of the patients in either group reported significant
shoulder disability as measured by the Croft shoulder disability questionnaire.
