Functional and Radiological Outcomes After Locking Compression Plate Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures
Outcome Evaluation of Locking Plate Fixation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.03.02.0189Keywords:
Proximal humerus fracture, locking compression plate, PHILOS, Functional outcome, Radiological union, Constant-Murley scoreAbstract
Background: The proximal humerus fractures are becoming quite frequent, especially among the aging population, and are linked with considerable functional disability. Locking compression plate (LCP) fixation has been popular because it provides angular stability, particularly in osteoporotic bone. Nonetheless, the inconsistency of the functional results and the occurrence of complications make it necessary to further assess them in clinical practice.
Objective: To compare the functional and radiological results of locking compression plate fixation in adult patients with proximal humerus fractures.
Methods: It was a prospective observational study that was carried out at General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between March 2023 and February 2025. Ninety-two patients (80 adults) were involved in the study with a displaced proximal humerus fracture (Neer 2-, 3-, and 4-part). Open reduction and internal fixation surgery was performed in the case of fractures using a locking compression plate. Constant-Murley Score (CMS) and DASH score were used to determine functional outcomes, whereas fracture union and time to healing were used as radiological outcomes. The data were measured with SPSS 26, and the p-value was taken to be 0.05.
Results: The average age of patients was 56.3 ± 11.8 years, and there was an overrepresentation of males (58.8%). The rate of radiological union was 93.8% with an average healing time of 15.2 ± 2.9. There was a great improvement in functional outcome, where CMS rose by 31.8 ± 5.9 at 6 weeks to 76.4 ± 8.6 at 6 months (p < 0.001). The complications were reported in 18.7% of patients, as usual, shoulder stiffness.
Conclusion: The fixation of proximal humerus fractures with locking compression plates is a good method that ensures an effective fracture union and a considerable functional restoration of the situation in simpler fractures.
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