A prospective study of a new locking plate for proximal humeral fracture

Displaced and unstable extra-articular fractures of the proximal humerus are treated by operative reduction and fixation using various techniques such as fixed plates and intramedullary implants. This prospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of a novel implant that is attached to the humeral head with fixed-angle locking screws. Between October 2002 and November 2005, 99 people (mean age 62.8 years) with proximal humeral fractures received treatment involving this plate in our department. The mean follow-up time was 17.8 months. Outcome was assessed with radiography, the Constant-Murley (C-M) shoulder evaluation and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. The mean C-M score was 64.95% and the mean DASH score was 30.1 points. Outcome was judged excellent in 51%, good in 19%, moderate in 19% and poor in 11% of cases.