Intramedullary nailing of combined/extended fractures of the humeral head and shaft

Complications following intramedullary nailing of proximal humerus and humeral shaft fractures: a systematic review

HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this study was to systematically review complications arising from intramedullary nailing (IMN) of proximal and humeral shaft fractures. This study hypothesized that there would be a low rate of complications and revision among patients treated with IMN for humerus fractures.

METHODS

Two independent reviewers performed a literature search in the PubMed database based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they reported on outcomes following the use of intramedullary nails for proximal humerus fractures or humeral shaft fractures. Variables that were collected included complications, visual analog scale pain scores and revision operations.

RESULTS

Overall, 179 studies met the inclusion criteria, with 7984 shoulders. The average age of patients in this study was 55.2 years and 60.7% of patients were female. The mean follow-up was 16.6 months. The overall complication rate for all fractures treated with intramedullary nails was 18.9%, and the overall revision rate was 6.8%. Among the complications were fracture complications (7.5%), hardware complications (7.2%), soft tissue complications (1.8%), neurovascular complications (1.6%), and infection (0.8%). Four-part proximal humerus fractures (52.9%) and open fractures (36.7%) had the highest rates of complication. Among the reasons for revision were hardware removal or replacement (5.0%), conversion to arthroplasty (0.6%), and other (1.2%). The mean visual analog scale pain score at last follow-up was 1.6.

CONCLUSION

Overall, there was a moderate rate of complications but low rate of revision following IMN of humerus fractures. Open fractures and 4-part proximal humerus fractures had the highest complication rates.

Combined Humeral Head and Shaft Fractures: Outcome Following Intramedullary Nailing and Plating

Background and Objectives: Combined fractures of the humeral head and shaft (FHS) are rare but frequently involve an intermuscular fracture as its characteristic pattern. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate intramedullary nailed and plated FHS in terms of outcomes and complications. Materials and Methods: The present study included patients with FHS, treated via either intramedullary nailing or plating within a period of 10 years, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Functional outcome was assessed using the age- and sex-adapted Constant-Murley Score (CMS-K). Rates of complications and revision surgeries were registered. Results: Twenty-five patients (18 females, 7 males, age 60.1 ± 14.2 years, range 23-76 years) were included in the study. Nailing was performed in 16 patients (12 females, 4 males, age 62.6 ± 12.4 years), whereas plating was executed in nine patients (6 females, 3 males, age 55.8 ± 17.0 years). Follow-up among all patients was 45.1 ± 26.3 months (range 12-97 months). CMS-K was 70.3 ± 32.3 in the nailing group, with reoperation in four cases, and 76.0 ± 31.0 in the plating group, with one reoperation (p = 0.42). Patients with no metaphyseal fragment displacement (n = 19; CMS-K 76.7 ± 17.3) demonstrated significantly better functional outcomes versus those with secondary displacement of the metaphyseal fragments (n = 6; CMS-K 60.0 ± 17.1), p = 0.046. Conclusions: Comparable acceptable clinical outcome is obtained when comparing nailing with additional open cerclage or lag-screw fixation techniques versus plating with open reduction. However, a higher revision rate was observed after nailing. The correct metaphyseal fragment fixation seems to be crucial to avoid loss of reduction and hence the need for revision surgery, as well as a worse outcome.

MIPO helical pre-contoured plates in diaphyseal humeral fractures with proximal extension. Surgical technique and results

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of applying the MIPO technique with a helical-shaped plate in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures with proximal extension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present an observational prospective study of patients with a humeral shaft fracture involving the proximal humerus fixed with a long proximal humerus polyaxial locking plate with an anterior curvature and helical shape (ALPS® Zimmerbiomet, Warsaw, Indianapolis, USA), using a MIPO technique. Between January 2017 and July 2020, 15 patients were treated at our institution. Proximally a 4-5 cm anterolateral transdeltoid approach was made. And distally, a 5-7 cm incision was made 4 cm proximal to the elbow crease. At each follow-up, radiographs were taken to evaluate fracture healing. Funtional scales were applied to evaluate clinical results.

RESULTS

Ten women and five men were included, with a mean age of 62 yo (range 26-86). All but one fracture healed uneventfully. The mean time to union was 28 weeks (range 12-48 weeks). Two out of 15 patients presented complications (an atrophic nonunion and a peri‑implant distal fracture). None of the patients had a nerve palsy prior neither after the surgery. No other complications, including infection, were registered during follow-up. Shoulder range of motion showed the following means: abduction of 147° (range 50°-180°), anterior flexion of 144° (range 80°-180°), external rotation of 77,5 ° (range 70°-80°) and internal rotation of 54.5° (range 45°-60°). All patients recovered their pre-fracture elbow range of motion. All patients presented less than 10° of angular deviation in varus/valgus or ante/recurvatum after the surgical procedure. At the end of the follow-up, all final functional scores were "good" or "excellent": mean Constant-Murley score was 72 ± 13 (range 38-91), ASES score was 73 ± 12 (range 41-88), UCLA shoulder scale was 30 ± 3,5 (range 10-35), and Q-DASH score was 16.5 ± 0,11 (range 4-57).

CONCLUSION

When applied correctly, the treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures involving the proximal humerus using a polyaxial locking helical plate with a MIPO technique is a reliable treatment method. It has high union rates with low complications.

Management of Dislocation of the Shoulder Joint with Ipsilateral Humeral Shaft Fracture: Initial Experience

Objective

To gain a better understanding of the traumatic mechanism and to develop appropriate treatment for dislocation of the shoulder joint with an ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture.

Methods

This was an observational and descriptive study. Nine patients with traumatic shoulder dislocations associated with ipsilateral humeral shaft fractures who visited the emergency room and received treatment from January 2012 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. CT with three‐dimensional reconstruction was performed to provide precise anatomical information of the fractures. The traumatic event and the type of fracture of the humeral shaft were analyzed to help determine the trauma mechanism. Closed reduction of the dislocation was attempted at once under intravenous anesthesia. One patient died the following day due to unrelated causes. All humeral shaft fractures of the eight patients received internal fixation, and then reduction of the dislocation was performed again if previous attempts failed. The affected limb was immobilized in a sling for 3 weeks postoperatively, and then active and passive movement was encouraged. Patients were evaluated based on clinical and radiographic examinations, shoulder joint range of motion, Constant–Murley score, and subjective shoulder value.

Results

Four cases in the present study could not give a clear description of the traumatic procedure. The other five patients suffered a second strike on their upper arms when they were hurt, with low mobility and high pain in the shoulder region. Seven cases were simple fractures and two were wedge fractures. According to the AO/OTA classification system, four cases were type 12‐A2, three were type 12‐A3, and two were type 12‐B2. Six patients successfully obtained closed manipulative reduction of the shoulder dislocation in the acute stage. The follow‐up time ranged from 18 to 31 months. No deep wound infections were encountered. All fractures healed uneventfully. The union time ranged from 4 to 6 months. At the final follow‐up, shoulder range‐of‐motion values were found to range from 140° to 170° forward flexion, 30° to 40° extension, 40° to 45° adduction, 150° to 170° abduction, 50° to 60° internal rotation, and 50° to 60° external rotation; no recurrent instability of the shoulder joint occurred; the Constant–Murley score was 89.5 ± 3.7 points (range: 84–94 points); the subjective shoulder value was 89.4% ± 6.3% (range: 75%–95%).

Conclusion

Shoulder dislocation most likely occurs first with an axial force or a direct posteroanterior force and a subsequent force results in the shaft fracture. For patients with mid‐distal humerus fractures, closed manipulative reduction of the joint is usually effective. After success of closed reduction, surgery for the humeral shaft fracture is advocated to ensure stability and to make patient nursing convenient. In cases with fractures in the proximal third of the humeral shaft, fixation is suggested beforehand to help reduce the shoulder dislocation.

Combined three-part humeral anterior fracture-dislocation and humeral shaft fracture treated with one-stage long stem shoulder hemiarthroplasty in an active elderly patient - A case report and review of literature

Introduction: Injuries combining a humeral head fracture-dislocation and a shaft fracture of the ipsilateral humerus are very rare. They should be separated from extended fractures of the humeral head to the shaft [1].

Case report: We present the case of an active 84-year-old man who sustained a three-part fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus combined with a long spiral humeral middle third diaphyseal fracture, after a ski fall. We were unable to find a similar case in the literature. He was treated with a long stem hemiarthroplasty, associated with screw osteosynthesis of the long spiral shaft fracture. The result after 30 months of follow-up was excellent, with good shoulder range of motion, good bone integration of the prosthesis and uneventful healing of the fracture.

Conclusion: This treatment allowed this intrepid elderly patient to recover a normal quality of life, including driving his car and to return to skiing.

Rotator Cuff-Sparing Approach for Antegrade Humeral Nailing With Biceps Tenodesis: A Technical Trick With Clinical Implications

Antegrade intramedullary nails are an established, effective method of fixation for humeral shaft fractures. One significant limitation of this technique is chronic postoperative shoulder pain, which is likely related to the standard approach that involves splitting the rotator cuff to gain access to the nail starting point. Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that both the intra-articular portion of the biceps tendon and the extra-articular portion in the bicipital groove can scar down after trauma, causing pain and limiting shoulder range of motion. We describe an approach through the rotator interval with tenodesis of the biceps tendon and resection of the intra-articular portion. Using a rotator cuff interval instead of a rotator cuff insertion approach allows access to the optimal humeral nail starting point while avoiding damage to intra-articular structures of the shoulder, potentially decreasing sources of postoperative shoulder pain.

Outcomes of Proximal Humerus Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation with Concomitant Ipsilateral Shoulder Girdle Injuries: a Case Control Study

BACKGROUND

Proximal humerus fractures treated in the face of ipsilateral injuries to the shoulder girdle may be predisposed to worse clinical outcomes.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purpose of this investigation was to examine outcomes of proximal humerus fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) using an endosteal augment in the presence of a concomitant shoulder girdle injury in comparison to isolated proximal humerus fractures treated with ORIF and endosteal augment.

METHODS

A prospective database was used to identify proximal humerus fractures with ipsilateral shoulder girdle injuries (glenohumeral and acromioclavicular dislocation, fractures of the acromion, clavicle, scapula, or humeral diaphysis). These were compared to isolated proximal humerus fractures treated in the same fashion (ORIF with endosteal augment). Minimum of 1 year follow-up was required for inclusion. Outcomes assessed included range of motion (ROM), development of avascular necrosis (AVN), hardware-related complications, reoperation, and subjective outcome assessments including the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), Constant score, UCLA rating scale, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36).

RESULTS

Fifteen ipsilateral injuries were seen in 14 patients. Seventy-seven isolated proximal humerus fractures were available for comparison. The ipsilateral injury group had significantly worse forward flexion (141 vs 156°, p = 0.02), external rotation (56 vs 64°, p = 0.03), higher rates of avascular necrosis (4 of 14, 28.6% vs 1 of 77, 1.3%, p = 0.002), and inferior SF-36 physical health scores (48.5 vs 63.5; p = .04). Despite these differences, no significant differences were seen with hardware-related complications or DASH, Constant score, or UCLA rating scale results. No patients required secondary reconstructive procedures.

CONCLUSION

Despite a statistically higher rate of AVN and decreased ROM, patient-based outcomes of proximal humerus fractures with ipsilateral shoulder injuries approached those seen in isolated proximal humerus fractures. This suggests that these injuries can achieve similarly good clinical results provided any associated shoulder pathology is identified and treated appropriately.

Open reconstruction of complex proximal metadiaphyseal fragility fractures of the humerus

PURPOSE

A proactive surgical and rehabilitation protocol was implemented to manage humeral fractures involving both the proximal end and shaft in an older patient population. Primary treatment goals were early return to function and reliable fracture union with minimal complications.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2012, 21 such operations were performed; 18 were considered "fragility" fractures based on mechanism, patient age, and evidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was employed using direct reduction and fixation with a long periarticular locking plate. Physiotherapy was commenced 2 weeks postoperatively. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess functional outcome at a time point greater than 1 year postoperative.

RESULTS

The study group consisted primarily of elderly females (83% with a median age of 69 years) whom sustained complex metadiaphyseal proximal humeral fractures after simple mechanical fall (78%). Uneventful union occurred in all cases. Local complications included 1 case of partial radial nerve palsy, which had resolved completely by 1 year. No cases of infection were identified. Long-term return to functionality was evident with a median DASH score of 12 (mean = 21, standard deviation = 20, n = 13). Seventy five percent of patients reported minimal or no pain (question [Q] 24), and 75% achieved return of overhead function (Q6, 12, and 15).

CONCLUSION

Treatment of complex metadiaphyseal fragility fractures with anatomic reduction, fixed angle plating, and early physiotherapy returns the older patient to optimized functionality with minimal risk of complication. The DASH outcomes are equivalent to ORIF of isolated proximal humerus fractures and clinically indistinguishable from the general population.

Minimally invasive percutaneous plating of proximal humeral shaft fractures with the Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System (PHILOS)

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated our results after minimally invasive percutaneous plating of proximal humeral shaft fractures with the Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System (PHILOS, Synthes, Switzerland).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2008, 15 patients with unilateral displaced proximal humeral shaft fractures were treated and followed up over a median period of 27 months (range, 12-38 months). The final follow-up included anteroposterior and lateral x-rays, range of shoulder motion, pain by visual analog scale (VAS), the Constant-Murley shoulder score, the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Elbow (DASH) score, and the Short Form 36 (SF36) assessment.

RESULTS

No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. No secondary fracture displacement or radial neuropathy was observed postoperatively. One patient had open reduction and internal fixation for pseudoarthrosis 16 months after the initial surgery. At the final follow-up, the median range of motion of the operated shoulder was flexion, 145°; extension, 45°; internal rotation, 40°; external rotation, 70°; and abduction, 135°. Median results on outcome assessments were VAS pain score, 0 points; Constant-Murley score, 74 points, representing 87.5% of the median Constant-Murley score of the unaffected shoulder; DASH score, 34 points, and the SF36, 83 points.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive percutaneous plating with the PHILOS offers a valid option in the treatment of proximal humeral shaft fractures with comparable rates of nonunion and lower rates of radial neuropathy compared with open procedures. Furthermore, the results indicate that this method is associated with lower rates of wound infection and a shorter stay in the hospital for the patient.

Diaphyseal humeral fractures and intramedullary nailing: Can we improve outcomes?

While intramedullary nailing has been established as the treatment of choice for diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia, its role in the management of diaphyseal humeral fractures remains controversial. The reasons include not only the complicated anatomy and unique biomechanical characteristics of the arm but also the fact that surgical technique and nail designs devised for the treatment of femoral and tibial fractures are being transposed to the humerus. As a result there is no consensus on many aspects of the humeral nailing procedure, e.g., the basic nail design, nail selection criteria, timing of the procedure, and the fundamental principles of the surgical technique (e.g., antegrade/retrograde, reamed/unreamed, and static/dynamic). These issues will be analyzed and discussed in the present article. Proposals aiming to improve outcomes include the categorization of humeral nails in two distinct groups: "fixed" and "bio", avoidance of reaming for the antegrade technique and utilization of "semi-reaming" for the retrograde technique, guidelines for reducing complications, setting the best "timing" for nailing and criteria for selecting the most appropriate surgical technique (antegrade or retrograde). Finally, suggestions are made on proper planning and conducting clinical and biomechanical studies regarding the use of intramedullary nailing in the management of humeral shaft fractures.

The external fixation in the treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures: outcomes of 84 cases

We retrospectively review 84 cases of diaphyseal humeral fractures (24 type A, 38 type B, 22 type C of the AO/OTA classification) treated with external fixation (Hoffmann II frame) between 1995 and 2007. Six of these fractures were complicated with radial nerve palsy. Four cases were open fractures. All reductions were achieved closely or through minimal open approaches. All fractures achieved consolidation with an average of 95 days (range 58-140). The six radial nerve palsies had complete spontaneous recovery. According to the Constant score excellent shoulder function was recorded in 54.6% of the cases, good results in 25%, fair in 13.6% and poor in 6.8%. The elbow function according to the Mayo elbow performance index was excellent in 81.8% of cases, good in 13.6%, fair in 2.3%, and poor in 2.3%. We observed superficial pin tract infections in 12% of the patients. There was no cases of deep infection. External fixation of humeral diaphyseal fractures as recorded in this case series, represents a management option, which allows straightforward fracture reduction and adequate stability, with a short operative time, excellent consolidation rate and good functional results with no major complications secondary to this type of surgery.