OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effectiveness of internal fixation and semi-shoulder arthroplasty in treating proximal humerus comminuted fractures in elderly.

METHODSFrom October 2009 and October 2011, 32 patients aged over 60 years old with three and four-part fractures of proximal humeral were treated with internal fixation (20 cases) and semi-shoulder arthroplasty (12 cases). In internal fixation group, there were 6 males and 14 females aged from 63 to 82 years old (ranged, 71.50 +/- 5.45), 8 cases with three-part fracture and 12 cases with four-part fracture, and treated with open reduction and locking plate internal fixation. While in semi-shoulder arthroplasty group, there were 4 males and 8 females aged from 61 to 85 years old (ranged, 72.80 +/- 6.80), 5 cases with three-part fracture and 7 cases with four-part fracture, and treated with semi-shoulder arthroplasty. Postoperative complications were observed, EQ-5D was used to evaluate quality of life, and Constant-Murley score was used to assess functional outcomes.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of 18 months. All injuries were healed at stage I . Two cases in internal fixation group occurred severe complications, including 1 case with screw fracture, 1 case with avascular necrosis of humeral head. EQ-5D in interal fixation group and semi-shoulder arthroplasty group were respectively 0.65 +/- 0.12, 0.67 +/- 0.12, Constant-Murley score respectively was 63.20 +/- 11.35 and 66.80 +/- 11.96, and with no statistical meaning between two goups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is no difference in qulity of life and functional recovery for the treatment of proximal humerus comminuted fractures by open reduction and internal fixation and semi-shoulder arthroplasty. However, the complication rate in semi-shoulder arthroplasty was lower than that of internal fixation group.