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Injuries to the proximal humerus

Foundation Year One (FY1), Queen's Hospital NHS Trust, Burton-upon-Trent, DE13 0RB, UK, lucian_costan{at}yahoo.com

Neil Ashwood

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Queens Hospital, Burton-upon-Trent, UK

Five to seven percent of all fractures involve the humerus, with most occurring in ladies over the age of 60 who have osteoporosis. and suffer fractures after a simple fall. In younger individuals such fractures result from high energy injuries (road traffic accidents). Around 75% are non-displaced fractures according to Neer's classification and can be treated non-operatively. The remaining 25% require surgical intervention based on the understanding of the anatomy of the proximal, the mechanism of the injury and the quality of the patient's bone. The displaced fractures may lead to avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis, pseudoarthrosis, and reduced motion and function. Involvement of the specialist is needed at an early stage in order to restore the limb functionality and the quality of life.

Key Words: proximal • humerus • fracture • Neer

Trauma, Vol. 10, No. 3, 175-182 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1460408608095371


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