Treatment of proximal humerus fractures with a CFR-PEEK plate: 2-year results of a prospective study and comparison to fixation with a conventional locking plate.

BACKGROUND

A radiolucent carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) plate was recently introduced for fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Prospective clinical and radiographic results of patients treated with a CFR-PEEK plate are compared with those of patients treated with a conventional locking plate.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 66 years) were treated with a CFR-PEEK plate for a 3- or 4-part proximal humerus fracture. Patients were clinically and radiographically re-examined at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months with the Simple Shoulder Test, Constant-Murley score (CMS), and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) as well as with simple radiographs. In addition, results were compared with a matched group of patients treated with a conventional locking plate.

RESULTS

At the final follow-up examination at 24 months, patients achieved a mean Simple Shoulder Test score of 58%, a mean CMS of 71.3 points (range, 44-97), and a mean OSS of 27.4 points (range, 8-45). Bone union was confirmed in all patients. Compared with patients treated with the conventional locking plate, patients treated with the CFR-PEEK plate achieved significantly better results with regard to the CMS and the OSS (P = .038 and .029, respectively). Furthermore, loss of reduction with subsequent varus deformity was less frequently observed in the CFR-PEEK plate group.

CONCLUSION

Fixation of proximal humerus fractures with a CFR-PEEK plate provides satisfying clinical and radiographic results after 2 years of follow-up. The results are comparable to those achieved with conventional locking plates.