The treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus.

Fractures of the proximal humerus, which can not be kept in place after reposition--and therefore not acceptable for conservative treatment--can be sufficiently fixed by a thin and long Rush-pin percutaneously introduced. So the damaged arm can be moved early. No inflammation and no pseudarthrosis was observed in 124 cases. The follow up examination of 98 patients after 6 to 12 months revealed good results. In 4 children the fractured neck of the humerus could not be reposed into a proper position (Interposition of periosteum and joint capsule). After open reduction fixation was performed by Kirschner's wires. We observed fast and complete healing in all cases.