Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of tension suture fixation using two washers with PHILOS plate (Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA) for proximal humeral fractures.
Patients and methods: Consecutive 39 patients were included and divided into two groups of adequate and inadequate medial support (MS (+) group vs MS (-) group). The mean follow-up period was 45months (range: 26-69 months). The mean age at the time of surgery was 59 years (range: 17-86 years) and there were 12 men and 27 women. The clinical results were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and subjective shoulder value (SSV). The radiographic results were evaluated by serial radiographs and Paavolainen method, which measures the neck-shaft angle (NSA). We used the Paired T and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare radiographic and clinical results between the two groups.
Results: Bony union was achieved in 37 cases (94.9%). The mean NSA was changed from 133.5° postoperatively to 131.0° at the final follow-up period, but this change was not statistically significant. Thirty-five cases (89.8%) had good radiographic results as determined by the Paavolainen method. The mean final VAS pain score, ASES score, and SSV were 1.3, 87.3, and 86.0%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to radiographic and clinical outcomes. Eight cases (20.5%) had complications including 5 with shoulder stiffness, 1 experiencing nonunion by fixation failure, 1 malunion, and 1 migration of greater tuberosity.
Conclusion: Tension suture fixation using two washers with PHILOS plate for proximal humeral fractures yielded satisfactory radiographic and clinical results. It can be a treatment option that can reduce varus deformity and fixation loss.
Keywords: Fracture; Plate; Proximal humerus; Suture fixation.
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