Self-made dentation hook plate associated with hot-air balloon technique on treatment of Mutch Ⅰ or Ⅱ type isolated greater tuberosity fractures of humerus

Abstract

To observe effectivness and safeness of self-made dentation hook plate associated with hot-air balloon technique in treating Mutch Ⅰ or Ⅱ type isolated greater tuberosity fractures of humerus. Between January 2016 and December 2018, 15 patients with Mutch Ⅰ or Ⅱ type greater tuberosity fractures were treated with self-made dentation hook plate associated with hot-air balloon technique. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average age of 45.1 years (range, 29-62 years). The injury causes included falling injury in 9 patients and traffic accident injury in 6 patients. According to Mutch classification, 4 cases were MutchⅠ type and 11 cases were Mutch Ⅱ type. There were 7 cases with anterior dislocation of shoulder. The time from injury to operation was 2-10 days (mean, 4.5 days). All 15 patients were followed up 8-16 months, with an average of 13.5 months. There was no infection of incision, loss of reduction of fracture block, delayed union or nonunion. The average time of fracture union was 6.5 months (range, 4-8 months). One patient had axillary paralysis at 1 day after operation, and was treated with nutritional nerve therapy, the symptoms disappeared after 2.5 months. Three patients had slight subacromial impingement. After fracture healing, the hook plate was taken out in advance, and the pain and abnormal noise disappeared during shoulder abduction. At last follow-up, Costant-Murley score used to evaluate shoulder joint function was 88-100, with an average of 96.8; 8 cases were excellent, 7 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. The internal fixator was removed after 8-16 months after the secondary operation with no re-fracture occurred. The self-made dentation hook plate associated with hot-air balloon technique is a safe and reliable method for the treatment of Mutch Ⅰ or Ⅱ type isolated greater tuberosity fracture of humerus.