Locking plate fixation of three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the functional results of open reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate in patients with three- or four-part fractures of the proximal humerus.
Methods: We reviewed 32 consecutive patients (22 women, 10 men; mean age 63 years; range 29 to 82 years) who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using the PHILOS locking plate for comminuted proximal humeral fractures. According to the Neer classification, 12 patients (mean age 56 years) had three-part fractures, 19 patients (mean age 67 years) had four-part fractures, and one patient had a four-part fracture dislocation. Ten patients were in the age group of