[Stabilization of proximal humeral fractures with the intramedullary dynamic titanium helix wire]

The implant Helix-Wire is a treatment device that is used since 1997. It provides minimally invasive stabilization of subcapital humeral fractures. The implant is inserted through a small lateral entrance and a cortical hole drilled into the intramedullary space of the proximal humeral shaft and drilled into the humeral head for fracture stabilization. After careful preoperative planning and successful repositioning of the fracture the technique can be performed without difficulty. A review of 35 patients with subcapital humeral fractures, who were operated using the titanium wire helix between 1998 and 2000, was carried out. Clinical and radiological results were documented. After an average time of 11.5 months 13 patients were examined according to the Constant Score: 5 good or excellent, 4 fair and 4 bad results were achieved. We conclude that this implant provides sufficient stabilization of subcapital humeral fractures classified as AO 11 A2, 11 A3.1, 11A3.2, 11B1.1, 11B1.2. It does not offer an advantage for the treatment of unstable fractures with multiple fragments or cancellous bone deficiency (11 A3.3, 11 B2.2, 11 B2.3).