Research Progress in Surgical Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fractures in Elderly Osteoporotic Humerus

Abstract

Proximal humeral fracture is a common injury in middle-aged and elderly people, especially elderly patients with osteoporosis due to bone loss, which can lead to fractures due to low-energy injury. As the population ages, the prevalence of proximal humeral fractures is likely to continue to increase. In the absence of open or neurovascular injury, the indications for surgery for proximal humeral fractures are controversial. Typically, the same fracture type can be treated non-surgically, with open reduction internal fixation, or joint replacement, depending on several variables including patient age, comorbidities, activity level, and treatment expectations. The purpose of this paper is to review surgical considerations in the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures in older adults with osteoporosis.