Proximal Humerus Fractures In Elderly Patients Research Articles

Proximal humerus fractures – epidemiology, comparison of mortality rates after surgical versus non-surgical treatment, and analysis of risk factors based on Medicare registry data

The optimal choice of management for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) has been increasingly discussed in the literature, and this work aimed to answer the following questions: 1) what are the incidence rates of PHF in the geriatric population in the USA; 2) what is the mortality rate after PHF in the elderly population, specifically for distinct treatment procedures; and 3) what factors influence the mortality rate? PHFs occurring between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were identified from the Medicare physician service records. Incidence rates were determined, mortality rates were calculated, and semiparametric Cox regression was applied, incorporating 23 demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic covariates, to compare the mortality risk between treatments. From 2009 to 2019, the incidence decreased by 11.85% from 300.4 cases/100,000 enrollees to 266.3 cases/100,000 enrollees, although this was not statistically significant (z = -1.47, p = 0.142). In comparison to matched Medicare patients without a PHF, but of the same five-year age group and sex, a mean survival difference of -17.3% was observed. The one-year mortality rate was higher after nonoperative treatment with 16.4% compared to surgical treatment with 9.3% (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 1.36; p < 0.001) and to shoulder arthroplasty with 7.4% (HR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.58; p < 0.001). Statistically significant mortality risk factors after operative treatment included age older than 75 years, male sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, a concomitant fracture, congestive heart failure, and osteoporotic fracture. Mortality risk factors for distinct treatment modes after PHF in elderly patients could be identified, which may guide clinical decision-making.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res2023;12(2):103-112.

The Utility of Routine Follow-up Radiographs in the Nonoperative Management of Proximal Humerus Fractures in Patients 65 Years and Older.

Whereas prior studies have aimed to define the utility of routine radiographs for the closed treatment of upper extremity fractures, it remains uncertain whether routine radiographs influence management decisions for nonoperative treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs). The purpose of this investigation was to assess the utility of routine radiographic monitoring of closed PHFs in elderly patients initially indicated for nonoperative treatment. We identified all patients 65 years and older who had a PHF from 2016 to 2019. We excluded cases of pathologic fractures or peri-prosthetic fractures, nonunion, malunion, cases with insufficient follow-up, and cases for which surgery was indicated either in the emergency department or at the first orthopedic visit. After applying these exclusion criteria, 402 cases remained. We recorded baseline demographics and fracture descriptions and noted any conversion to operative treatment after the initial office visit. Two-part fractures were most common (56%). Of the 402 fractures indicated for nonoperative treatment, 21 (5%) were converted to operative management during the follow-up period. Nine fractures (2%) were converted to operative management within 30 days of the first office visit. Eight cases (2%) were converted to operative treatment more than 120 days after the initial office visit: 6 due to nonunion and 2 due to posttraumatic arthritis. For patients 65 years and older who undergo initial nonoperative treatment of a PHF, routine follow-up radiographs do not appear to alter management decisions. Given the risk and cost associated with routine radiographs, surgeons should consider forgoing these images in the absence of clinical concern. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(4):e244-e248.].

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Head-Split Fractures—A Retrospective Cohort Study

Head-split fractures are proximal humerus fractures (PHF) that result from fracture lines traversing the articular surface. While head-split fractures are rare, surgical treatment of these complex injuries can be extremely challenging and is associated with high rates of complications. Treatment using primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been associated with moderate complication rates and reproducible clinical results. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complication rates of RSA for head-split PHF. Twenty-six patients were evaluated based on Constant Score (CS) and range of motion of both shoulders and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV). Radiographic analysis evaluated tuberosity healing, prosthetic loosening and scapular notching. Patients achieved good clinical results with a CS of 73.7 points and SSV of 82% after a mean follow-up of 50 months. The relative CS comparing operated versus the unaffected shoulder was 92%. Greater tuberosity healing was achieved in 61%. Patients who suffered a high-energy trauma reached a significantly greater functional outcome. Patients who suffered multifragmentation to the humeral head performed the worst. There were no cases of loosening; scapular notching was visible in two cases. The complication rate was 8%. RSA is an adequate treatment option with for head-split PHF in elderly patients.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for recent proximal humerus fractures: Outcomes in 422 cases

The ageing of the population is steadily increasing the frequency of displaced proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) in elderly patients. The last decade has seen a shift from hemi-arthroplasty (HA) to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in these patients. The primary objective of this study was to assess short- and long-term outcomes of RSA in a large cohort of elderly patients with recent PHFs. The secondary objectives were to evaluate radiological outcomes and short- and long-term morbidity and mortality rates. Outcomes of RSA to treat PHFs in older patients are satisfactory, reliable, and sustained over time. This retrospective multi-centre study included 898 patients with a mean age of 79 years, among whom 422 underwent a standardised clinical and radiological evaluation at least 1 year after RSA. Some patients were re-evaluated twice. An evaluation within the first 5 years was available for 420 patients (≤5-Y group), whereas 119 patients were re-evaluated more than 5 years after RSA (>5-Y group). Some patients had one re-evaluation either within or after 5 years and others had both an early and a late re-evaluation; thus the total number of re-evaluation was greater than the number of patients. Mean active forward elevation was 115°±29°, mean external rotation with the elbow by the side was 17°±19°, mean internal rotation (hand-to-back) was 4.3±2.5 points, mean absolute Constant score was 57±15, and mean Subjective Shoulder Value was 70%±18%. Re-implantation of the tuberosities followed by healing in the anatomical position was associated with significantly better outcomes, notably regarding rotations. Even in the absence of healing in the anatomical position, tuberosity repair was associated with better clinical outcomes compared to tuberosity excision. Humeral loosening occurred in 3.5% of patients and was associated with tuberosity excision. Glenoid loosening was seen in 3.5% of patients and was associated with superior tilt of the glenoid component. The main complication was prosthesis instability, which occurred in 2.5% of patients, a proportion similar to that seen in the general population. Post-operative patient survival was not significantly different from that in the general population of the same age. Prosthesis survival was 91% after 20 years. Clinical outcomes of RSA for PHF in elderly patients were not only satisfactory but also reproducible and sustained over time. Tuberosity re-implantation around the prosthesis is the key step for optimising the functional outcomes, notably by restoring rotations and decreasing the risk of complications (prosthesis instability and humeral loosening). IV, retrospective observational study.

Uncemented Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty as Initial Treatment for Comminuted Proximal Humerus Fractures.

To determine whether uncemented implants would provide similar outcomes while avoiding the complications associated with cement in the treatment of elderly patients with proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) with primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Case series. A single Level I trauma center. A prospectively obtained cohort of 30 patients who underwent uncemented RTSA as initial treatment for a comminuted PHF: 4 male, 26 female; average age 71 ± 11 years. Uncemented RTSA. (1) Radiographic analysis, (2) postoperative clinical range of motion, and (3) functional outcome scores: the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score and the Simple Shoulder Test score. Radiographic analysis showed 97% achieved stable humeral stem fixation and 70% had healing of the tuberosities in anatomical position. Average range of motion was 130 ± 31 degrees of forward flexion, 32 ± 18 degrees of external rotation, and internal rotation to the midlumbar spine. Average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score was 82.0 ± 13.5 (with an average pain rating of 0.8 ± 1.3), and average Simple Shoulder Test score was 69.4% ± 19.1%. Our data show that treatment of comminuted PHFs in elderly patients with uncemented RTSA can consistently produce good clinical outcomes with a low rate of complications and suggest that cement may not be necessary for RTSA in the trauma setting. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Treatment of humerus fractures in the elderly: A systematic review covering effectiveness, safety, economic aspects and evolution of practice.

ObjectivesThe objective of this Health Technology Assessment was to evaluate effectiveness, complications and cost-effectiveness of surgical or non-surgical treatment for proximal, diaphyseal or distal fractures of the humerus in elderly patients. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the intervention costs per treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) and to investigate treatment traditions of PHF in Sweden.Methods and findingsThe assessment contains a systematic review of clinical and health economic studies comparing treatment options for humerus fractures in elderly patients. The results regarding the effectiveness of treatments are summarized in meta-analyses. The assessment also includes a cost analysis for treatment options and an analysis of registry data of PHF. For hemiarthroplasty (HA) and non-operative treatment, there was no clinically important difference for moderately displaced PHF at one-year follow-up regarding patient rated outcomes, (standardized mean difference [SMD]) -0.17 (95% CI: -0.56; 0.23). The intervention cost for HA was at least USD 5500 higher than non-surgical treatment. The trend in Sweden is that surgical treatment of PHF is increasing. When functional outcome of percutaneous fixation/plate fixation/prosthesis surgery and non-surgical treatment was compared for PHF there were no clinically relevant differences, SMD -0.05 (95% CI: -0.26; 0.15). There was not enough data for interpretation of quality of life or complications. Evidence was scarce regarding comparisons of different surgical options for humerus fracture treatment. The cost of plate fixation of a PHF was at least USD 3900 higher than non-surgical treatment, costs for complications excluded. In Sweden the incidence of plate fixation of PHF increased between 2005 and 2011.ConclusionsThere is moderate/low certainty of evidence that surgical treatment of moderately displaced PHF in elderly patients has not been proven to be superior to less costly non-surgical treatment options. Further research of humerus fractures is likely to have an important impact.