Blade plate fixation; technic suitable for fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus and similar lesions.

Abstract

In the past, treatment of fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus has consisted of essentially no treatment whatever. Where displacement was apparent, manipulation under anesthesia occasionally reduced the displacement somewhat, but fully as frequently no correction of positional relationship of the fragments was obtained. Occasionally, open reduction of the fracture has been attempted with oblique screw fixation or wire loop. The usual practice by the orthopedic surgeon as well as others, has been to accept a fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus as a benign lesion and, though considerable displacement of fragments might be present, to accept such result as could be obtained with conservative means. The fact that many such lesions show no gross displacement and do heal well has lulled the surgeon into a sense of security in the past. In cases in which considerable displacement existed or comminution of the bone presaged a