Background Proximal humeral fractures, particularly in osteoporotic patients, remain an unsolved problem as regards the durability of the osteosynthesis. The AO/ASIF group has developed a new technique which aims to preserve the biological integrity of the humeral head and secures the reduction using multiple locking screws with angular stability (Philos), thus allowing an early mobilization.Patients and outcome We retrospectively reviewed the complications and functional outcome after a minimum follow-up of 1 year in 72 patients treated with this new method. 2 fractures failed to unite, and 3 patients developed an avascular necrosis of the humeral head. In addition, 2 implant failures were observed due to a technical error. According to the Constant score, the functional outcome was acceptable even in elderly patients.Interpretation The Philos method appears to be safe and can be recommended for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in patients with poor bone quality.

One year after a displaced midshaft clavicular fracture, nonoperative treatment resulted in a higher nonunion rate but similar function and disability compared with operative treatment.

Results after the operative treatment of 41 severe proximal fractures of the humerus are reported. The fractures were classified according to Neer (1970a). The aim of treatment was accurate reduction and stable fixation of the fracture with screws or with screws and a plate. When scored according to Neer's (1970a) functional assessment, results in the 31 patients re-examined more than 1 year postoperatively were excellent or satisfactory in 23 patients. Results were excellent or satisfactory in 14/15 patients with type III fractures, in 7/11 with IV, and 2/4 with type VI. In the only re-examined patient with a type V fracture the result was unsatisfactory. The most common technical error was a too high positioning of the AO plate and persistent varus deformation of the head of the humerus. High positioning of the plate caused post-operative restriction in the movements of the glenohumeral joint because the implant impinged under the acromion during abduction. No aseptic necrosis of the humeral head was observed. Of the patients of working age all but one returned to their preoperative occupations within a mean of 3.5 months after surgery.

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BackgroundConservative treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is not always successful. A consequence of persistent AC joint dislocation may be chronic pain and discomfort in the shoulder region as well a sensation of constant AC joint instability and impaired shoulder function. Stabilization of the AC joint may reduce these sequels.Materials and methodsDue to chronic AC joint dislocation, 39 patients in our hospital underwent coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction with autogenous semitendinosus and gracilis tendons between May 2005 and April 2011. We examined 25 patients after a mean of 4.2 years. The outcomes were Constant shoulder Score (CS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), cross-arm test, stability of the AC joint, and complications. The follow-up visits included anteroposterior and axillary radiographs.ResultsMean CS was 83 in the injured shoulder and 91 in the uninjured shoulder (p = 0.002). Mean DASH was 14. In 14 patients, the AC joint was clinically stable; pain was minor. In radiographs, osteolysis of the lateral clavicle and tunnel widening were markedly common. Fracture of the coracoid process occurred in 5 patients, and 3 suffered a fracture of the clavicle; 2 had a postoperative infection.ConclusionsAnatomic reconstruction of CC ligaments showed a moderate subjective outcome at the 4-year follow-up. After surgery, almost half the AC joints failed to stabilize. Lateral clavicle osteolysis and tunnel widening were notably common complications.

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