Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 8/2017

01-08-2017 | Trauma Surgery

An alternative technique for greater tuberosity fractures: use of the mesh plate

Authors: Yelena Bogdan, Elizabeth B. Gausden, Robert Zbeda, David L. Helfet, Dean G. Lorich, David S. Wellman

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 8/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fractures (AO 11-A1) tend to occur in the younger patient population and are poorly managed by most precontoured proximal humerus locking plates. The goal of this study was to identify and assess an alternative treatment strategy for greater tuberosity fractures.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of all cases of isolated greater tuberosity fractures treated with a 2.4/2.7 mesh plate (Synthes) between 2010 and 2015 was conducted. Patient demographics, operative reports, and clinical notes were reviewed. The time to radiographic union was assessed. Clinical outcomes were retrieved from patients at their follow-up visits or via mailed Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) questionnaires.

Results

Ten patients with isolated GT fractures treated with mesh plating were identified with an average age of 47.1 years. The average radiographic follow-up was 7.2 months and the average clinical follow-up was 8.0 months. The mean time to union was 8.5 weeks. Two patients underwent elective hardware removal. The mean DASH at final follow-up was 28.2 (±22.4), while the mean DASH work was 13.6 (±19.1).

Conclusion

We have identified a viable alternative treatment option for the surgical management of isolated greater tuberosity fractures using a mesh plate that can be contoured to the patient’s anatomy. Surgeons should be aware of this option for select patients.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Green A, Izzi J Jr (2003) Isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 12(6):641–649CrossRefPubMed Green A, Izzi J Jr (2003) Isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 12(6):641–649CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Court-Brown CM, Garg A, McQueen MM (2001) The epidemiology of proximal humeral fractures. Acta Orthop Scand 72(4):365–371CrossRefPubMed Court-Brown CM, Garg A, McQueen MM (2001) The epidemiology of proximal humeral fractures. Acta Orthop Scand 72(4):365–371CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Gruson KI, Ruchelsman DE, Tejwani NC (2008) Isolated tuberosity fractures of the proximal humeral: current concepts. Injury 39(3):284–298CrossRefPubMed Gruson KI, Ruchelsman DE, Tejwani NC (2008) Isolated tuberosity fractures of the proximal humeral: current concepts. Injury 39(3):284–298CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Park TS, Choi IY, Kim YH, Park MR, Shon JH, Kim SI (1997) A new suggestion for the treatment of minimally displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 56(3):171–176PubMed Park TS, Choi IY, Kim YH, Park MR, Shon JH, Kim SI (1997) A new suggestion for the treatment of minimally displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 56(3):171–176PubMed
5.
go back to reference Liao W, Zhang H, Li Z, Li J (2016) Is arthroscopic technique superior to open reduction internal fixation in the treatment of isolated displaced greater tuberosity fractures? Clin Orthop Relat Res 474:1269–1279CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Liao W, Zhang H, Li Z, Li J (2016) Is arthroscopic technique superior to open reduction internal fixation in the treatment of isolated displaced greater tuberosity fractures? Clin Orthop Relat Res 474:1269–1279CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
go back to reference Rouleau DM, Mutch J, Laflamme GY (2016) Surgical treatment of displaced greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 24(1):46–56CrossRefPubMed Rouleau DM, Mutch J, Laflamme GY (2016) Surgical treatment of displaced greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 24(1):46–56CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Platzer P, Thalhammer G, Oberleitner G et al (2008) Displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity: a comparison of operative and nonoperative treatment. J Trauma 65(4):843–848CrossRefPubMed Platzer P, Thalhammer G, Oberleitner G et al (2008) Displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity: a comparison of operative and nonoperative treatment. J Trauma 65(4):843–848CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Sudkamp N, Bayer J, Hepp P et al (2009) Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humerus plate. results of a prospective, multicenter, observational study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(6):1320–1328CrossRefPubMed Sudkamp N, Bayer J, Hepp P et al (2009) Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humerus plate. results of a prospective, multicenter, observational study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(6):1320–1328CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Gardner MJ, Griffith MH, Dines JS, Briggs SM, Weiland AJ, Lorich DG (2005) The extended anterolateral acromial approach allows minimally invasive access to the proximal humerus. Clin Orthop Relat Res 434:123–129CrossRef Gardner MJ, Griffith MH, Dines JS, Briggs SM, Weiland AJ, Lorich DG (2005) The extended anterolateral acromial approach allows minimally invasive access to the proximal humerus. Clin Orthop Relat Res 434:123–129CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Lorich DG, Warner SJ, Schottel PC, Shaffer AD, Lazaro LE, Helfet DL (2015) Multiplanar fixation for patella fractures using a low-profile mesh plate. J Orthop Trauma 29(12):e504–e510CrossRefPubMed Lorich DG, Warner SJ, Schottel PC, Shaffer AD, Lazaro LE, Helfet DL (2015) Multiplanar fixation for patella fractures using a low-profile mesh plate. J Orthop Trauma 29(12):e504–e510CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Clavert P, Adam P, Bevort A, Bonnomet F, Kempf JF (2010) Pitfalls and complications with locking plate for proximal humerus fracture. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 19(4):489–494CrossRefPubMed Clavert P, Adam P, Bevort A, Bonnomet F, Kempf JF (2010) Pitfalls and complications with locking plate for proximal humerus fracture. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 19(4):489–494CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Schöffl V, Popp D, Strecker W (2011) A simple and effective implant for displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity: the “Bamberg” plate. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131(4):509–512CrossRefPubMed Schöffl V, Popp D, Strecker W (2011) A simple and effective implant for displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity: the “Bamberg” plate. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131(4):509–512CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
An alternative technique for greater tuberosity fractures: use of the mesh plate
Authors
Yelena Bogdan
Elizabeth B. Gausden
Robert Zbeda
David L. Helfet
Dean G. Lorich
David S. Wellman
Publication date
01-08-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 8/2017
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-017-2715-x

Other articles of this Issue 8/2017

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 8/2017 Go to the issue