Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study

Background: Proximal humerus fractures are typically minimally displaced and often result from low-energy trauma, particularly in elderly individuals with osteoporosis. In such cases, conservative or non-surgical treatments are generally effective. However, the optimal treatment approach remains an...

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Main Authors: Sunil H. Shetty, Shikhar D. Singh, Sarang Agrawal, Sameer S. A. Shaikh, Nrupam Mehta, Joydeep Kumar Dey, Abhilash Srivastava
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_238_23
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author Sunil H. Shetty
Shikhar D. Singh
Sarang Agrawal
Sameer S. A. Shaikh
Nrupam Mehta
Joydeep Kumar Dey
Abhilash Srivastava
author_facet Sunil H. Shetty
Shikhar D. Singh
Sarang Agrawal
Sameer S. A. Shaikh
Nrupam Mehta
Joydeep Kumar Dey
Abhilash Srivastava
author_sort Sunil H. Shetty
collection DOAJ
description Background: Proximal humerus fractures are typically minimally displaced and often result from low-energy trauma, particularly in elderly individuals with osteoporosis. In such cases, conservative or non-surgical treatments are generally effective. However, the optimal treatment approach remains an active research and debate area for fractures with moderate to severe displacement. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis, focusing on evaluating and distinguishing the functional outcomes in elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures. Materials and Methods: A prospective, comparative study was conducted involving 60 elderly patients. The primary goal was to assess and compare the functional outcomes of complex proximal humerus fractures treated surgically using plating versus conservative treatment methods. Results: At the 8-week follow-up, patients in the non-surgical group demonstrated significantly lower average values for flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation than the surgical group. However, by the 6-month mark, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The locking plate is a preferred implant for comminuted proximal humerus fractures. In this study, outcomes from locked plate fixation were comparable to those of non-operative treatments. Early initiation of physiotherapy and a robust rehabilitation program are crucial for achieving optimal functional recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-8f0777d1e10f45718b5cba60944cdb552025-01-17T10:55:33ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsMGM Journal of Medical Sciences2347-79462347-79622024-12-0111469570010.4103/mgmj.mgmj_238_23Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative studySunil H. ShettyShikhar D. SinghSarang AgrawalSameer S. A. ShaikhNrupam MehtaJoydeep Kumar DeyAbhilash SrivastavaBackground: Proximal humerus fractures are typically minimally displaced and often result from low-energy trauma, particularly in elderly individuals with osteoporosis. In such cases, conservative or non-surgical treatments are generally effective. However, the optimal treatment approach remains an active research and debate area for fractures with moderate to severe displacement. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis, focusing on evaluating and distinguishing the functional outcomes in elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures. Materials and Methods: A prospective, comparative study was conducted involving 60 elderly patients. The primary goal was to assess and compare the functional outcomes of complex proximal humerus fractures treated surgically using plating versus conservative treatment methods. Results: At the 8-week follow-up, patients in the non-surgical group demonstrated significantly lower average values for flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation than the surgical group. However, by the 6-month mark, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The locking plate is a preferred implant for comminuted proximal humerus fractures. In this study, outcomes from locked plate fixation were comparable to those of non-operative treatments. Early initiation of physiotherapy and a robust rehabilitation program are crucial for achieving optimal functional recovery.https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_238_23conservativelocking plateosteoporosisproximal humerus fracture
spellingShingle Sunil H. Shetty
Shikhar D. Singh
Sarang Agrawal
Sameer S. A. Shaikh
Nrupam Mehta
Joydeep Kumar Dey
Abhilash Srivastava
Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
MGM Journal of Medical Sciences
conservative
locking plate
osteoporosis
proximal humerus fracture
title Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
title_full Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
title_fullStr Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
title_full_unstemmed Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
title_short Treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures: A comparative study
title_sort treatment approaches for elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures a comparative study
topic conservative
locking plate
osteoporosis
proximal humerus fracture
url https://doi.org/10.4103/mgmj.mgmj_238_23
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