Surgical management of complex proximal humeral fractures: pinning, locked plate and arthroplasty: Clinical results and functional outcome on retrospective series of patients

Purpose The aim of the study was to compare the clinical results and related complications of four different surgical treatments of complex proximal humeral fractures according to their classification and features of patients. Methods Between 2007 and 2011, 92 consecutive patients with diagnosis of three–four-part displaced fractures, fractures with head dislocation and head-splitting fractures were evaluated postoperatively with Constant–Murley score, disability of arm, shoulder and hand score and simple shoulder test. Results All the treatment modalities showed from optimal to good mean functional results. The statistical analysis comparing each treatment group showed better outcomes scores ( p 0.05). Overall complication rate of surgical treatment of complex PHF was 31.5% (29 patients) with overall revision rate of 14.1%. Among patients with complications 77.8% of HA (7 of 9) required revision surgery ( p