[Osteosynthesis of subcapital humerus fractures with unconventional use of implants]

The osteosynthesis of subcapital humerus fractures with the commonly used plates is often critical because of the little space subacromial, the irritation of the blood supply by the broad plates and the poor proximal anchorage without angle stability. The osteosynthesis with blade plates (children hip plate or blade plates for small adults) for isolated subcapital fractures or a blade plate like modified DC-plate for subcapital fractures with a shaft component or severe osteoporosis is thought to be a reliable alternative. We treated 34 patients aged between 18 and 85 years (mean 44 years) with blade plates. 33 patients had a good fracture healing and subjectively free shoulder motion after 3 months. One patient had distal implant loosening because of insufficient medial contact. The fracture healed after refixation.