Proximal Humerus Fracture
What are proximal humerus fractures?
Proximal humerus fractures affect the upper portion of the arm in the shoulder region and are an important cause of dysfunction and disability in various age groups. They are considered the most common fractures in the shoulder region.
How do proximal humerus fractures occur?
The most common mechanism of injury is a fall from standing height with the impact being absorbed by the hand or shoulder region, and is more common in postmenopausal women, although it can also occur in men. These fractures are associated with osteoporosis and occur more frequently in individuals with lower bone density.
Fractures that occur due to high-energy mechanisms, such as sports or motorcycle accidents, often affect younger individuals with high functional demands.
What are the typical complaints after a proximal humerus fracture?
Shoulder pain and the inability to raise the arm may occur immediately after the injury, and a bruise often appears on the arm and chest in the following hours, which disappears after several days. The deformity may not be evident, even in displaced fractures, but swelling of the upper limb down to the hand is common.
What are the treatments for proximal humerus fractures?
What are the treatments for proximal humerus fractures?
The choice of the best treatment option should take into account factors related to the patient and the characteristics of the fracture. Conservative treatment has shown satisfactory results in patients with lower functional demands and in simple fracture patterns, so that a large proportion of these fractures can be treated with appropriate immobilization and rehabilitation. However, surgical treatment may guarantee better results in patients with greater functional demands or in significantly displaced fractures.
Surgical options for treating this fracture include reconstruction and fixation with metal implants or, when this is not possible, replacement of the joint with an inverted prosthesis, with excellent functional results.
To learn more about surgical treatment options for proximal humerus fractures, click here .
