RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and significance of supraspinatus fragments in proximal humerus fractures.Methods:A total of 210 patients with proximal humerus fractures who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University from July 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 91 males and 119 females, aged 52.4±11.3 years (range, 18-87 years). Preoperatively, the shoulder joint X-ray, CT and 3D reconstruction, and MRI were evaluated for the presence of a small fracture mass on the lateral side of the interarticular sulcus and an "M" shaped fracture mass at the interarticular sulcus. Intraoperative observation, management, postoperative functional exercise and follow-up were performed by the same group of doctors. Postoperative outpatient review was performed at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks, shoulder joint X-ray and CT were taken at 2, 6, and 24 weeks to observe the presence of subacromial displaced bone mass. Constant-Murley scale was used to assess shoulder joint function.Results:All 210 patients completed the surgery successfully, and none of them had vascular, nerve or ligament injuries during the operation. According to Neer's classification: 59 cases of two-part humeral greater tuberosity fractures, 36 cases of two-part humeral surgical neck fractures, 50 cases of three-part humeral greater tuberosity fractures, and 65 cases of four-part proximal humeral fractures. 61.0% (128/210) of the patients showed the presence of a supraspinatus fragment on preoperative imaging, including 42 two-part humeral greater tuberosity fractures, 1 two-part humeral surgical neck fracture, and 31 three-part humeral greater tuberosity fractures with a small lateral fracture mass over the intertubular groove; 54 four-part proximal humeral fractures had an "M" shaped fracture mass containing the intertubular groove. All patients were followed up for 11.8±2.4 months (range, 6-20 months). Postoperative X-ray showed that all fractures healed, and the healing time was 3.4±0.3 months (range, 3-5 months). The Constant-Murley scale of the shoulder joint was 86.3±11.5 (range, 61-100).Conclusion:Supraspinatus fragments are more common in proximal humerus fractures. Proper recognition and management of supraspinatus fragments can help understand the mechanism of proximal humeral fracture occurrence, the relationship between fracture displacement and rotator cuff injury, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and improve the shoulder joint function.