Abstract

ALLENDE, Christian et al. Stabilization with 90° locked blade plates in proximal humerus nonunions. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Ortop. Traumatol. [online]. 2009, vol.74, n.3, pp.230-236. ISSN 1852-7434.

Background: Achieving stable fixation in proximal humerus nonunions is demanding. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 12 patients with nonunions of the proximal third of the humerus treated with 90o locked blade plates between 2004 and 2007. Patients age averaged 59. Nine nonunions were atrophic, two oligotrophic and one hypertrophic. Time from trauma to definitive surgery averaged 21 months. Eight patients had had previous surgeries. Results: follow-up averaged 19 months. Union was achieved in all cases without loss of reduction, after 5.5 months in average. DASH score averaged 17 points (range, 8 to 34), and Constant score averaged 72 points (range, 62 to 82). The Analog Pain Scale averaged 1 point (range: 0 to 3). Discussion: Surgical treatment of proximal humerus nonunions is demanding, even for skilled surgeons; due to their frequent association with a small proximal fragment, poor bone quality, infection, bone loss, joint stiffness, and multiple previous surgical interventions. Conclusions: Locked blade plates combine two different but well known fracture fixation methods in the same implant, increasing the mechanical properties of both fixation technologies.

Keywords : Nonunion; Proximal humerus; Locked plate; Blade plate.

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