Retrospective study compares clinical outcomes of external fixation and shoulder arthroplasty in the elderly, suggesting less invasive approaches may be effective.
Key Points
This research aims to compare the effectiveness of external fixation and reverse shoulder arthroplasty for treating proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients.
Retrospective comparative study design with patients aged 65-80 years
Patients with displaced Neer two- or three-part proximal humerus fractures were analyzed
Clinical and functional outcomes measured using various shoulder scoring systems and range of motion assessments
Patient satisfaction evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale
External fixation showed significantly shorter mean operative times (48.2 vs. 92.4 min) and no transfusion needs compared to shoulder arthroplasty
Functional outcomes were comparable between both methods, with no significant differences in Constant-Murley, Simple Shoulder Test, or ASES scores
External fixation allowed for better external rotation and a trend toward improved internal rotation
Patient satisfaction scores were similar for both treatment options
Overall complication rates were 20.6% for external fixation and 12.1% for shoulder arthroplasty