Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient
Introduction: Proximal humerus fractures are common in the elderly. The evaluation and management of these injuries is often controversial. The purpose of this study is to review recent evidence and provide updated recommendations for treating proximal humerus fractures in the elderly. Methods: A li...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2151458517750516 |
| _version_ | 1819068254812897280 |
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| author | Adam Schumaier MD Brian Grawe MD |
| author_facet | Adam Schumaier MD Brian Grawe MD |
| author_sort | Adam Schumaier MD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Proximal humerus fractures are common in the elderly. The evaluation and management of these injuries is often controversial. The purpose of this study is to review recent evidence and provide updated recommendations for treating proximal humerus fractures in the elderly. Methods: A literature review of peer-reviewed publications related to the evaluation and management of proximal humerus fractures in the elderly was performed. There was a focus on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published within the last 5 years. Results: The incidence of proximal humerus fractures is increasing. It is a common osteoporotic fracture. Bone density is a predictor of reduction quality and can be readily assessed with anteroposterior views of the shoulder. Social independence is a predictor of outcome, whereas age is not. Many fractures are minimally displaced and respond acceptably to nonoperative management. Displaced and severe fractures are most frequently treated operatively with intramedullary nails, locking plates, percutaneous techniques, or arthroplasty. Discussion: Evidence from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews is insufficient to recommend a treatment; however, most techniques have acceptable or good outcomes. Evaluation should include an assessment of the patient’s bone quality, social independence, and surgical risk factors. With internal fixation, special attention should be paid to medial comminution, varus angulation, and restoration of the calcar. With arthroplasty, attention should be paid to anatomic restoration of the tuberosities and proper placement of the prosthesis. Conclusion: A majority of minimally displaced fractures can be treated conservatively with early physical therapy. Treatment for displaced fractures should consider the patient’s level of independence, bone quality, and surgical risk factors. Fixation with percutaneous techniques, intramedullary nails, locking plates, and arthroplasty are all acceptable treatment options. There is no clear evidence-based treatment of choice, and the surgeon should consider their comfort level with various procedures during the decision-making process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:31:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9779b57625594d4ba13d3c7a50eed6ac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2151-4593 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:31:14Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-9779b57625594d4ba13d3c7a50eed6ac2022-12-21T18:57:20ZengSAGE PublishingGeriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation2151-45932018-01-01910.1177/2151458517750516Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly PatientAdam Schumaier MD0Brian Grawe MD1 Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USAIntroduction: Proximal humerus fractures are common in the elderly. The evaluation and management of these injuries is often controversial. The purpose of this study is to review recent evidence and provide updated recommendations for treating proximal humerus fractures in the elderly. Methods: A literature review of peer-reviewed publications related to the evaluation and management of proximal humerus fractures in the elderly was performed. There was a focus on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published within the last 5 years. Results: The incidence of proximal humerus fractures is increasing. It is a common osteoporotic fracture. Bone density is a predictor of reduction quality and can be readily assessed with anteroposterior views of the shoulder. Social independence is a predictor of outcome, whereas age is not. Many fractures are minimally displaced and respond acceptably to nonoperative management. Displaced and severe fractures are most frequently treated operatively with intramedullary nails, locking plates, percutaneous techniques, or arthroplasty. Discussion: Evidence from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews is insufficient to recommend a treatment; however, most techniques have acceptable or good outcomes. Evaluation should include an assessment of the patient’s bone quality, social independence, and surgical risk factors. With internal fixation, special attention should be paid to medial comminution, varus angulation, and restoration of the calcar. With arthroplasty, attention should be paid to anatomic restoration of the tuberosities and proper placement of the prosthesis. Conclusion: A majority of minimally displaced fractures can be treated conservatively with early physical therapy. Treatment for displaced fractures should consider the patient’s level of independence, bone quality, and surgical risk factors. Fixation with percutaneous techniques, intramedullary nails, locking plates, and arthroplasty are all acceptable treatment options. There is no clear evidence-based treatment of choice, and the surgeon should consider their comfort level with various procedures during the decision-making process.https://doi.org/10.1177/2151458517750516 |
| spellingShingle | Adam Schumaier MD Brian Grawe MD Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation |
| title | Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient |
| title_full | Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient |
| title_fullStr | Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient |
| title_full_unstemmed | Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient |
| title_short | Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient |
| title_sort | proximal humerus fractures evaluation and management in the elderly patient |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2151458517750516 |
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