The Translated Proximal Humerus Fracture: A Comparison of Operative and Nonoperative Management

To report on the long-term outcomes of the management of translated proximal humerus fractures.

A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2018.

Academic Level 1 trauma center.

A total of 108 patients with a proximal humerus fracture with ≥100% translation, defined as no cortical bony contact between the shaft and humeral head fragments, were included.

Patients were managed nonoperatively with sling immobilization or with operative management as determined by the treating surgeon.

Outcome measures were the Oxford Shoulder Score, EQ-5D-5L, return to work, and radiological outcomes. Complications recorded included further surgery, loss of position/fixation, nonunion/malunion, and avascular necrosis.

Of the 108 patients, 76 underwent operative intervention and 32 were managed nonoperatively. The mean (SD) age in the operative group was 54.3 (±20.2) years and in the nonoperative group was 73.3 (±15.3) years ( P < 0.001). There was no association between Oxford Shoulder Score and management options (mean 38.5 [±9.5] operative versus mean 41.3 [±8.5] nonoperative, P = 0.48). Operative management was associated with improved health status outcomes; EQ-5D utility score adjusted mean difference was 0.16 (95% CI, 0.04-0.27; P = 0.008); EQ-5D VAS adjusted mean difference was 19.2 (95% CI, 5.2-33.2; P = 0.008). Operative management was associated with a lower odds of nonunion (adjusted OR 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09-0.97; P = 0.04), malunion (adjusted OR 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.51; P = 0.003), and complications (adjusted OR 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.32; P = 0.001).

Translated proximal humerus fractures with ≥100% displacement demonstrate improved health status and radiological outcomes after surgical fixation.

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.