Operative treatment of malunion of a fracture of the proximal aspect of the humerus

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures

Proximal humeral fractures occurring in elderly patients often lead to significant functional disability. The outcome of nonoperative management is disappointing. Treatment with open reduction and internal fixation may result in osteonecrosis of the humeral head, and pain. Hemiarthroplasty is often associated with tuberosity nonunion and poor function. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an attractive alternative because of the ability of the prosthesis to compensate for tuberosity complications. Early studies have shown promise in using the prosthesis to treat these difficult patients. The next step will require prospective, randomized studies to determine which patient groups derive any benefit from reverse shoulder arthroscopy. The technology should be used judiciously.

Early complications of operatively treated proximal humeral fractures

Minimal information exists regarding early complications after operatively treated proximal humeral fractures. Of the 82 shoulders that had osteosynthesis, 42 had a (nonmedical) complication, with 21 requiring further surgery. Of 42 shoulders with complications, 12 were related to incomplete reduction, 16 had loss of anatomic fracture fixation, 9 had delayed healing, 3 had an infection, 1 had rotator cuff failure, and 1 had loose bodies. Fixed-angle plates had lower rates of initial malpositioning and resultant malunion. Of the 22 shoulders requiring hemiarthroplasty, 14 had an early complication. Of these, 7 had complications relating to implant insertion or tuberosity malreduction at the index operation and 7 had problems with tuberosity healing. The rate of complications after operative treatment of proximal humeral fractures is high. All efforts at fracture fragment fixation with osteosynthesis and hemiarthroplasty should be directed at obtaining anatomic fracture fixation that resists displacement.

Surgical treatment of varus malunion of the proximal humerus with valgus osteotomy

Among the complications of 2-part fractures of the upper end of the humerus, little attention has been paid to the treatment of the varus malunion. However, this deformity frequently causes pain and disability of the shoulder. To improve this condition, we treated this malunion with a valgus wedge osteotomy. From August 1995 to January 1999, 5 patients with this deformity, all complaining about pain or unsatisfactory function of the shoulder (University of California, Los Angeles score <13), underwent osteotomy and internal fixation with a plate and screws. The mean age was 53 years (range, 25-73 years), there were 4 male patients, and the left side was involved in 4 cases. The mean follow-up was 34 months (range, 22-63 months). Union occurred in all cases by 6 weeks. Three of the results were excellent, and two were good (University of California, Los Angeles score >30). All patients were satisfied with the treatment.

Rotator cuff repair after shoulder replacement

Development of a rotator cuff tear after shoulder arthroplasty can adversely affect outcome. To assess the results of a subsequent procedure to repair the torn cuff, we reviewed all shoulder arthroplasties performed at our institution to identify patients who had a subsequent operation for cuff repair with or without component revision. We identified 19 patients and 20 involved shoulders. One patient was lost to follow-up, and one was excluded because the subsequent cuff repair could not be adequately accomplished. Patients were studied retrospectively a mean of 9.1 years after cuff repair by analysis of prospectively collected data supplemented by use of a questionnaire (10 shoulders). The presence of the tear was diagnosed preoperatively by physical examination or routine radiographs in 13 shoulders, an arthrogram in 3, and surgical exploration in 2. The tear involved the subscapularis in 7 shoulders, the supraspinatus in 15, and the infraspinatus in 8. Rotator cuff repair was successful in only 4 shoulders and was unsuccessful in the remaining 14. Pain was absent in 4 shoulders, slight in 6, occasionally moderate in 5, and moderate in 3. The mean visual analog pain score was 5.6. Range of motion was limited, with mean values for elevation of 78 degrees and external rotation of 54 degrees . Because results of subsequent cuff repair are poor, every attempt should be made to repair the cuff securely and carefully direct postoperative physical therapy.

Shoulder arthroplasty for late sequelae of proximal humeral fractures

Twenty-eight patients with sequelae of proximal humeral fractures were treated with shoulder arthroplasty and were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 47 months. There were 8 malunions, 7 osteonecrosis, and 2 nonunions of the proximal humerus. Degenerative joint disease without any distortion of the tuberosities had developed in 11. We performed 8 total shoulder arthroplasties and 20 hemiarthroplasties. On the basis of the Neer criteria, the results were satisfactory in only 64%. Fifteen patients had superior migration of the implant. One patient had to be reoperated on because of deep infection. The prognosis was influenced positively by the integrity of the rotator cuff at surgery, whereas the need for greater tuberosity osteotomy worsened the final result. The data suggest that malunion of the greater tuberosity can be tolerated if it does not compromise acceptable positioning of the humeral component. However, if there is a malunion of the greater tuberosity with major displacement, an osteotomy must be performed, with unpredictable results.

Isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus

This review addresses isolated greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus. The important aspects of the epidemiology, anatomy, fracture classification, associated injuries, and treatment are discussed. Although isolated greater tuberosity fractures are well recognized, there are few studies that specifically evaluate the outcome of these injuries. Our experience and review of the recent literature suggest that more precise evaluation of diagnostic criteria, treatment selection, and outcome is required.

Arthroscopically treated proximal humeral fracture malunion

Articles describing the treatment of proximal humerus malunion are limited. Although in most of the cases, shoulder arthroplasty is the treatment of choice, when the articular surface of the humeral head is intact, other techniques can be considered and successfully used as well. Using arthroscopic techniques for proximal humerus malunion treatment is rarely reported in the literature. We could find only a few cases in which arthroscopic subacromial decompression was used to treat greater tuberosity malunion. Arthroscopic debridement and capsulotomy are also considered in the treatment of proximal humeral malunion cases with shoulder joint stiffness. This case report describes the completely arthroscopic treatment of a 4-part proximal humeral fracture malunion associated with pain and restricted range of motion. The main deformity in our case was medially displaced malunited lesser tuberosity that was blocking the internal rotation of the humerus. Isolated displaced lesser tuberosity fractures are rare injuries. Open techniques are usually the treatment of choice. We did not find any reports of arthroscopic treatment of lesser tuberosity malunion as a separate entity or as a component of a proximal humerus malunion. The early result in our case strongly encourages using arthroscopic techniques for lesser tuberosity malunion treatment as well as expanding the indications for shoulder arthroscopy in proximal humerus malunion cases.

Shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral malunions: long-term results

Between 1976 and 1997, 50 shoulders with proximal humeral malunions in 50 patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty and followed up for a mean of 9 years (range, 2-21 years) or until the time of revision surgery. Of these, 13 had a 4-part malunion, 24 had a 3-part greater tuberosity malunion, 6 had a 2-part greater tuberosity malunion, and 7 had a 2-part head segment malunion. Articular incongruity resulted from an articular surface step-off in 5 shoulders, from osteonecrosis in 19, and from secondary degenerative arthritis in 26. Shoulder arthroplasty resulted in significant pain relief (P <.005). At most recent follow-up, shoulder pain was more intense in patients who had initial operative treatment of their fracture, in those with osteonecrosis, and in those who had arthroplasty less than 2 years after their fracture. Active elevation improved from 65 degrees to 102 degrees on average, and external rotation improved from 12 degrees to 35 degrees on average. There was significantly less postoperative motion in those who had initial operative treatment of their fracture or who underwent tuberosity osteotomy. Of the 24 shoulders undergoing tuberosity osteotomy, 14 healed in good position, 4 had a nonunion develop, 3 had some degree of malunion develop, and in 3 the tuberosity resorbed. On the basis of the Neer result rating, 12 shoulders had an excellent result, 13a satisfactory result, and 25 an unsatisfactory result. Unsatisfactory results occurred in 8 who underwent reoperation with component revision or removal and because of lack of postoperative motion in 14, moderate pain in 2, and patient dissatisfaction in 1. All shoulders with tuberosity nonunion or resorption had an unsatisfactory result.

Shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of the sequelae of fractures of the proximal humerus

The purpose of this multicenter study was to analyze the results of shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of the sequelae of proximal humerus fractures and establish an updated classification system and treatment guidelines for these complex situations. Seventy-one sequelae of proximal humerus fractures were treated with shoulder replacement with the use of the same nonconstrained, modular, and adaptable prosthesis: the Aequalis prosthesis (Tornier Inc, St Ismier, France). The average time between initial fracture and shoulder arthroplasty was 5 years and 5 months. On the basis of anatomic classification schemes, sequelae were divided into 4 types: type 1, humeral head collapse or necrosis with minimal tuberosity malunion (40 cases); type 2, locked dislocations or fracture-dislocations (9 cases); type 3, nonunions of the surgical neck (6 cases); and type 4, severe malunions of the tuberosities (16 cases). The mean postoperative follow-up was 19 months (range, 12 to 48 months). Overall, the postoperative Constant score was excellent in 11 cases (16%), good in 19 cases (26%), fair in 18 cases (25%), and poor in 23 cases (33%). There were 18 complications (27%). Fifty-nine of 70 patients (81%) stated that they were satisfied with the result. The most significant factor affecting functional outcome was greater tuberosity osteotomy (P <.005). Regarding both surgical treatment and postoperative prognosis, we identify 2 categories of proximal humerus fracture sequelae: category 1, intracapsular/impacted fractures sequelae (associated with both cephalic collapse or necrosis [type 1] and chronic dislocation or fracture-dislocation [type 2]), in which an articulating joint can be reconstructed without a greater tuberosity osteotomy; and category 2, extracapsular/disimpacted fractures sequelae (associated with both surgical neck nonunions [type 3] and severe tuberosity malunions [type 4]) where the proximal humerus cannot be reconstructed without a greater tuberosity osteotomy. All of the excellent and good postoperative Constant scores were obtained in type 1 and 2, in which osteotomy of the greater tuberosity was not required. All patients in type 3 and 4, who underwent a greater tuberosity osteotomy, had either fair or poor results and did not regain active elevation above 90 degrees. We conclude that a greater tuberosity osteotomy is the most likely reason for poor and unpredictable results after shoulder replacement arthroplasty for the treatment of the complex sequelae of proximal humerus fractures. Shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of the sequelae of fractures of the proximal humerus should be performed without an osteotomy of the greater tuberosity when possible. If prosthetic replacement is possible without an osteotomy, surgeons should accept the distorted anatomy of the proximal humerus and adapt the prosthesis and their technique to the modified anatomy. A modular and adaptable prosthesis with both adjustable offsets and inclination may allow surgeons to adapt to a large number of malunions and may help to avoid the troublesome greater tuberosity osteotomy in a higher proportion of cases.

Osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis of the shoulder

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis result in a painful shoulder with impairments, functional deficits, and disability. Conservative treatment includes oral inflammatory medication, cortisone injection, or rehabilitation. Rehabilitation of the shoulder can be beneficial, but if joint destruction is advanced, surgery may be required. Postoperative rehabilitation requires the therapist to know the basics of the surgical technique so that safe and effective therapeutic intervention can be made. A successful outcome depends on effective communication and interaction among the physician, therapist, and patient. Each "team" member has a defined role in rehabilitation, and all three must fulfill their responsibilities for the desired outcome to be achieved.

Proximal humerus malunions

Malunion of a proximal humerus fracture often is painful and debilitating. Operative management of this deformity is technically demanding and frequently results in a relatively high rate of complications. Reconstruction involves a spectrum of procedures including excision of bony prominences, tuberosity osteotomy and realignment, and shoulder arthroplasty. This article covers the etiology, classification, diagnosis, and management of these complex injuries. A successfully performed reconstruction diminishes the patient's pain and potentially increases function.

Posttraumatic arthritis

The surgical management of posttraumatic arthritis is one of the most difficult problems encountered in shoulder surgery. Bone and soft tissue abnormalities resulting from the initial injury and from any subsequent surgery must be addressed to achieve the best outcome possible. A review of the literature reveals distinctly inferior results and a higher rate of complications following surgical treatment of posttraumatic sequelae compared with the surgical treatment of acute proximal humeral fractures. The authors present helpful hints for dealing with the complex problems encountered in the posttraumatic setting.