Surgical Considerations in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Proximal Humerus Fractures

Abstract

Proximal humerus fractures in the setting of osteoporosis can be technically challenging. Intraoperative challenges include comminution, thin cortical bone, and crushed cancellous bone that lead to difficulties in obtaining and maintaining a reduction and hardware fixation. Loss of fixation and varus collapse continue to be problems despite the utilization of modern locking plate fixation. A clearer understanding of predictors of fixation failure and the encouraging early results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) have resulted in increased utilization of RTSA for the primary treatment of proximal humerus fractures.

Keywords: Fragility fracture; Open reduction internal fixation; Osteopenia; Osteoporosis; Proximal humerus fracture; Shoulder arthroplasty.