[Comparison of internal fixation and semi-shoulder arthroplasty in treating proximal humerus comminuted fractures in elderly].

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinical effectiveness of internal fixation and semi-shoulder arthroplasty in treating proximal humerus comminuted fractures in elderly.

METHODS

From October 2009 and October 2011, 32 patients aged over 60 years old with three and four-part fractures of proximal humeral were treated with internal fixation (20 cases) and semi-shoulder arthroplasty (12 cases). In internal fixation group, there were 6 males and 14 females aged from 63 to 82 years old (ranged, 71.50 +/- 5.45), 8 cases with three-part fracture and 12 cases with four-part fracture, and treated with open reduction and locking plate internal fixation. While in semi-shoulder arthroplasty group, there were 4 males and 8 females aged from 61 to 85 years old (ranged, 72.80 +/- 6.80), 5 cases with three-part fracture and 7 cases with four-part fracture, and treated with semi-shoulder arthroplasty. Postoperative complications were observed, EQ-5D was used to evaluate quality of life, and Constant-Murley score was used to assess functional outcomes.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of 18 months. All injuries were healed at stage I . Two cases in internal fixation group occurred severe complications, including 1 case with screw fracture, 1 case with avascular necrosis of humeral head. EQ-5D in interal fixation group and semi-shoulder arthroplasty group were respectively 0.65 +/- 0.12, 0.67 +/- 0.12, Constant-Murley score respectively was 63.20 +/- 11.35 and 66.80 +/- 11.96, and with no statistical meaning between two goups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is no difference in qulity of life and functional recovery for the treatment of proximal humerus comminuted fractures by open reduction and internal fixation and semi-shoulder arthroplasty. However, the complication rate in semi-shoulder arthroplasty was lower than that of internal fixation group.