PHILOS plate versus nonoperative treatment in 2-, 3-, and 4-part proximal humeral fractures: Comparison with healthy control subjects

Abstract

Purpose: There is no consensus in the literature on nonoperative treatment of displaced and multipart fractures of proximal humerus as those are normally treated operatively. Our aim was to compare the functional results of nonoperative management and open reduction internal fixation with the proximal humerus internal locking system of 2-, 3-, and 4-part proximal humerus fractures, among themselves and with a healthy control group.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, 92 proximal humerus fractures constituting a nonoperative group (n = 47) and an operative group (n = 45) together with healthy control subjects (n = 45) were analyzed in a tertiary care referral center. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were used for subjective functional analysis. Range of motion and muscle strength were analyzed objectively for all patients and healthy control subjects.

Results: In 2-part fractures, VAS scores and hand grip strength were determined as lower in the nonoperative group (p = 0.033 and p = 0.034, respectively). In 3- and 4-part fractures, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of ASES and VAS scores. Patients who underwent surgery had more muscle strength than those in the nonoperative group, but only arm extensor and forearm flexor muscle strengths were statistically significant for 3-part fractures. In cases of 4-part fractures, objective functional results were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions: With insufficient functional results and high complication rates in surgery, nonoperative management is still the preferred choice for proximal humerus fractures, especially in case of multipart fractures.

Keywords: dynamometer; nonoperative; operative; proximal humerus fracture; range of motion.