Comparison of Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments for Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study

Saeed  Kokly; Ramin  Etemadi; Omid  Momen; Seyyed-Mohsen  Hosseininejad; Sina  Shakiba

doi:10.18502/jost.v10i3.16782

Saeed Kokly Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Joint, Bone, Connective Tissue Rheumatology Research Center (JBCRC), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Ramin Etemadi Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Omid Momen Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Seyyed-Mohsen Hosseininejad Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Joint, Bone, Connective Tissue Rheumatology Research Center (JBCRC), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Sina Shakiba Medical Student, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v10i3.16782

Keywords: Shoulder Fractures; Humeral Fracture; Treatment Outcome; Cross-Sectional Studies

Abstract

Background: The proximal humerus fracture (PHF) is one of the most common fractures of the upper limbs. PHF is more common in older people, usually following a fall, whereas in younger people this form of fracture is typically caused by high-energy trauma. There are several treatment options for PHFs, including surgical and non-surgical procedures. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatment methods in Iranian patients with PHFs.

Methods: Sixty patients with PHFs participated in this single-center cross-sectional study. Medical records were reviewed and evaluated according to demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, type of treatment, complications, need for reintervention, and Constant score.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.65 years. Among those older than 50 years, women significantly outnumbered men (66.7%, P = 0.009). Thirty-one patients received surgical treatment, while 29 patients received non surgical care. The Constant scores of patients who underwent surgery were considerably higher than those of non-surgical patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD): 80.41 ± 1.89 versus 69.82 ± 1.82, P = 0.009]. This significant relationship was observed only in the age group of 18 to 49 years.

Conclusion: Overall, the complications arising from both surgical and nonsurgical treatments were not statistically significant; however, patients under the age of 50 and men had higher Constant scores, indicating better clinical outcomes.