Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2007; 15(2/03): 76-79
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-960711
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Results of Early Post-Operative Rehabilitation after Internal Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures with the Locking Proximal Humerus Plate

P. A. Leenhouts1 , 2 , F. C. Bakker1 , H. J. T. M. Haarman1
  • 1Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Current address: St. Anna Hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 September 2007 (online)

Abstract

Fourteen patients with acute displaced extra-articular unifocal or bifocal fractures of the proximal humerus and one patient with an articular fracture of the proximal humerus were treated with the Locking Proximal Humerus Plate after open reduction. All patients were given intensive physiotherapeutic rehabilitation, initiating it even before wound healing. 12 weeks after surgery, good functional results were achieved in abduction, anteflexion, and retroflexion of the shoulder. No patient had severe pain at final review. The LPHP provides adequate stability to minimise shoulder atrophy and loss in muscle power through early, intensive physiotherapeutic rehabilitation, thereby decreasing the disadvantage of the open surgical technique.

References

  • 1 Baron J A, Barrett J A, Karagas M R. The epidemiology of peripheral fractures.  Bone. 1996;  18 209 S-213 S
  • 2 Baron J A, Karagas M, Barrett J. et al . Basic epidemiology of fractures of the upper and lower limb among Americans over 65 years of age.  Epidemiology. 1996;  7 612-618
  • 3 Goldman R T, Koval K J, Cuomo F, Gallagher M A, Zuckerman J D. Functional outcome after humeral head replacement for acute three and four part proximal humeral fractures.  J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1995;  4 81-86
  • 4 Healy W L, Jupiter J B, Kristiansen T K, White R R. Non-union of the proximal humerus. A review of 25 cases.  J Orth Trauma. 1990;  4 424-431
  • 5 Kelsey J L, Browner W S, Seeley D G. et al . Risk factors for fractures of the distal forearm and proximal humerus.  Am J Epidemiol. 1992;  135 477-489
  • 6 Lee S H, Dargent-Molina P, Breart G. et al . Risk factors for fractures of the proximal humerus: results from the EPIDOS prospective study.  J Bone Miner Res. 2002;  17 817-825
  • 7 Müller M E, Allgöwer M, Willenegger H. Manual of Internal Fixation. Springer, New York 1970; 297
  • 8 Neer C S. Displacement of proximal humeral fractures, part 1.  J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1970;  52 1077-1089
  • 9 Neer C S. Displacement of proximal humeral fractures, part 2.  J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1970;  52 1090-1103
  • 10 Nguyen T V, Center J R, Sambrook P N. et al . Risk factors for proximal humerus, forearm, and wrist fractures in elderly men and women: the Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study.  Am J Epidemiol. 2001;  153 587-595
  • 11 Zyto K, Wallace W A, Frostick S P, Preston B J. Outcome after hemiarthroplasty for three or four-part fractures of the proximal humerus.  J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1998;  7 85-89

P. A. Leenhouts

St. Anna Hospital

Bogardeind 2

5664 EH Geldrop

The Netherlands

Phone: +31/40/2 86 48 39

Fax: +31/40/2 86 43 20

Email: p.a.leenhouts@planet.nl

    >