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Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Calcar screws and adequate reduction reduced the risk of fixation failure in proximal humeral fractures treated with a locking plate: 190 patients followed for a mean of 3 years

Authors: Sjur Oppebøen, Annette K. B. Wikerøy, Hendrik F. S. Fuglesang, Filip C. Dolatowski, Per-Henrik Randsborg

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Fixation of proximal humeral fractures (PHF) with locking plates has gained popularity over conservative treatment, but surgery may be complicated with infection, non-union, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head and fixation failure. Failure to achieve structural support of the medial column has been suggested to be an important risk factor for fixation failure. The aims of this study were to examine the effect of calcar screws and fracture reduction on the risk of fixation failure and to assess long-term shoulder pain and function.

Methods

This was a single-centre retrospective study of 190 adult PHF patients treated with a locking plate between 2011 and 2014. Reoperations due to fixation failure were the primary outcome. Risk factors for fixation failure were assessed using the Cox regression analysis. Postoperative shoulder pain and function were assessed by the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS).

Results

Thirty-one of 190 (16%) patients underwent a reoperation: 14 (7%) due to fixation failure, 10 (5%) due to deep infection and 2 (1%) due to AVN. The absence of calcar screws and fixation with residual varus malalignment (head-shaft angle < 120°) both increased the risk of fixation failure with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of 8.6 (1.9–39.3; p = 0.005) and 4.9 (1.3–17.9; p = 0.02), respectively. The median (interquartile range) OSS was 40 (27–46).

Conclusion

The use of calcar screws, as well as the absence of postoperative varus malalignment, significantly reduced the risk of fixation failure. We, therefore, recommend the use of calcar screws and to avoid residual varus malalignment to improve the medial support of proximal humeral fractures treated with a locking plate.
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Metadata
Title
Calcar screws and adequate reduction reduced the risk of fixation failure in proximal humeral fractures treated with a locking plate: 190 patients followed for a mean of 3 years
Authors
Sjur Oppebøen
Annette K. B. Wikerøy
Hendrik F. S. Fuglesang
Filip C. Dolatowski
Per-Henrik Randsborg
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1749-799X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-018-0906-y

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