Treatment of proximal humeral fractures with Polarus nail fixation

A chart review of 20 patients who sustained acute proximal humeral fractures and who were treated by surgical stabilization with locked antegrade humeral intramedullary nails (Polarus nails) was undertaken. The clinical outcome measurements were fracture healing, infection, and neurologic injury. Radiologic outcome measurements included fracture alignment, loosening, fixation and hardware failure, and malunion and nonunion. Of 20 fractures, 11 healed without complications. The mean immediate postoperative and final radiographic valgus neck/shaft angulation measured 131 degrees. Of the 20 implants, 3 had proximal fixation screw loosening. Of the 20 implants, 2 underwent revision surgery for proximal fixation failure. With certain fracture types, the Polarus intramedullary humeral nail can be an effective implant. In fracture cases involving an unstable or comminuted lateral metaphyseal fracture, if the starting point extends into the greater tuberosity, fixation failure or fracture displacement may result.