Proximal humeral fractures treated with arthroplasty

Objective: To explore arthroplasty in treating 3- and 4-part fractures of the proximal humerus. Methods: A total of 132 patients with proximal humeral fractures were treated in our hospital from July 1997 to February 2003. According to Neer’s classification, the fractures of 45 patients (14 males and 31 females, aged 31-78 years, 56.1 years± 7.8 years on an average) belonged to 3- or 4-part fractures (10 patients with 4-part fracture and 35 with 3-part comminuted fracture) and they were treated with shoulder joint arthroplasty. Unipolar prosthesis replacement of the head of humerus was made in 28 cases, while bipolar prosthesis replacement in 2 cases and total shoulder joint replacement in 15 cases. Results: During the follow-up period (range: 12-72 months, mean: 37.3 months± 4.1 months), among the 45 patients who suffered from fractures of the proximal humerus and underwent arthroplasty surgery, 44 patients ( 97.8%) had no postoperative pain and were satisfied with the active range of motion and with the whole treatment results. And radiography showed that the prostheses were at their good position. One patient had postoperative pain because he had so narrow medullary cavity that the humeral prosthesis could not be put deeply enough and the prosthesis head was a little higher over the anatomic level. He did not have good postoperative active range of motion, either. Then he received a review surgery and got satisfied results. Temporary shoulder stiffness was observed in one patient. Manual release of these adhesions improved the shoulder function. No evidence of nonunion of the fracture segments around the humeral prosthesis stem was found. Conclusions: Shoulder arthroplasty is a dependable method to restore the comfort and function of the should joints of the patients with 3- or 4-part fractures of the proximal humerus.

Bilateral traumatic proximal humerus fractures managed by open reduction and internal fixation with locked plates

Fractures of the proximal humerus are uncommon in young patients.Although bilateral fracture of proximal humerus itself is rare,association with epilepsy and electrocution is frequent.Only one case of traumatic bilateral proximal humerus fracture has been reported in the literature.We report a rare case of bilateral traumatic displaced proximal humerus fractures in a 40 years old male patient,which was treated by means of open reduction and internal fixation with proximal humerus locked pates on both sides and obtained a good functional outcome.

Scapular fractures and concomitant injuries

Objective： The association of scapular fractures with other life-threatening injuries including blunt thoracic aortic injury is widely recognized. Few studies have investigated this presumed association. In this study, we investigated the incidence of significant associated injuries with scapular fracture and their outcomes. Methods： A retrospective study was conducted from 2005 to 2009 in a level I trauma center in Thailand. All blunt trauma patients were identified. Patients＇ demographics, injury mechanism, associated injuries, Injury Severity Score （ISS）, and survival outcomes were recorded. The manage- ment of associated injuries with scapular fracture was reviewed, and the risk factors for mortality were identified. Results： Among the 7 345 trauma patients admitted, scapular fractures occurred in 84 cases （1.1%）. The mean age was （37.98±15.21） years. Motorcycle crash was the most frequent mechanism of injury, occurring in 51 cases （60.7%）.Seventyour patients （88.1%） suffering from scapular fractures had associated injuries： 5 （6.0%） had significant chest injuries, but none of them had blunt thoracic aortic injury. Two patients （2.4%） with scapular fractures died. Factors determining the likelihood of mortality were： （1） ISS〉25 （LR=8.5, P〈0.05）; （2） significant associated chest injury （AIS〉3, LR=5.3, P〈0.05） and （3） significant associated abdominal injury （AIS〉3, LR=5.3, P〈0.05）. Conclusion： A blunt scapular fracture may not accompany a blunt thoracic aortic injury but it is strongly related to other injuries like chest injury, extremity injury, head injury, etc. If a scapular fracture is found with a high ISS score, high chest or abdomen AIS score, the patient would have a high risk of mortality.

A six months old neglected anterior shoulder dislocation managed by closed reduction and Latarjet procedure

A neglected shoulder dislocation is a rarer entity and only few cases are reported in the literature. An anterior dislocation of the shoulder is rarely missed as patients present with limb in abduction and external rotation, an attitude very familiar to orthopaedic surgeon. Occasionally such cases are missed when they present with fracture of proximal humerus or when they receive treatment from unqualified practitioners who commonly practise in rural areas. Owing to very few reports there is paucity of literature and no standard treatment protocol exists for neglected anterior dislocation of the shoulder. though most such chronic cases are managed by open reduction. This case report describes a six months old neglected anterior dislocation with a significant Hill Sachs lesion, which was managed by closed reduction and Latarjet procedure.

Simultaneous bilateral shoulder and bilateral central acetabular fracture dislocation： What to do？

Musculoskeletal injuries following seizures have a high morbidity and mortality. These injuries are often missed and the diagnosis is delayed due to a lack of clinical suspicion and appropriate investigations. We report a case of 72 years old male with simultaneous bilateral central acetabular fracture dislocation and bilateral posterior shoulder fracture dislocation secondary to an epileptic seizure. Present study high- lights the significance of clinical suspicion and clinico-radiological evaluation for diagnosis of a rare injury following episode of seizures. Simultaneous fracture dislocation of all four limbs treated with a holistic approach can lead to a good functional recovery. Surgical management with open reduction and internal fixation is preferred and replacement arthroplasty should be reserved for cases with implant failure and elderly patients.

Kirschner wire migration from subcapital humeral fracture site, causing hydropneumothorax

Migration of wires or pins around the shoulder is a known complication, though their migration within the chest is uncommon. We report an unusual case of hydropneumothorax due to migration of a bent Kirschner wire from the right proximal humerus in a 63 year-old man. We reviewed his clinical history, physical examination, imaging findings, surgical method and outcome. We also reviewed the literature on orthopaedic wire migration and latest technique in removal of the wires. Chest radiographs and chest computerized tomography are useful in detection and diagnosis of this disorder. Regular radiographic follow-up is needed for patients with internal fixation devices; any fractured or migrated pins or wires must be removed immediately to prevent dangerous complications. It is always important to remove the wires at the end of the treatment. Early removal of fixation wires and regular follow-up if wires are retained are essential to prevent serious complications.

Inferior glenohumeral joint dislocation with greater tuberosity avulsion

Inferior glenohumeral dislocation is the least common type of glenohumeral dislocations. It may be associated with fractures of the adjacent bones and neurovascular compromise. It should be treated immediately by close reduction. The associated neuropraxia usually recovers with time. Traction-counter traction method is commonly used for reduction followed by immobilization of the shoulder for three weeks. Here, we report a case of inferior glenohumeral joint dislocation with greater tuberosity fracture with transient neurovascular compromise and present a brief review of the literature.