Outcomes of non-arthroplasty surgical treatment of proximal humeral head fractures / Resultados do tratamento cirúrgico não artroplástico das fraturas da epífise proximal do úmero

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with humeral head fractures treated by reduction and osteosynthesis. METHOD: A total of 53 shoulders (52 patients) with humeral head fractures were operated between October 1996 and December 2009. Patients previously treated with primary arthroplasty and/or those who had less than two years follow-up were excluded. A total of 34 shoulders of 34 patients were therefore reassessed. In the sample studied, 23 patients were male and mean age was 47 years. Cases were assessed based on the UCLA score. RESULTS: Mean post-operative follow-up was 50 months. Twelve patients evolved with excellent outcome, seven good, five regular, and ten with poor outcome (55.8% satisfactory and 44.2% unsatisfactory outcomes). Mean UCLA score was 26 points. Mean post-operative range of motion measurements was 117° elevation, 36° LR and L1 MR. At the immediate post-operative radiography, anatomic reduction was evident in 17 patients (50%). Necrosis was detected in 18 patients, six Grade II and 12 Grade III cases. Female gender and anatomically reduced fractures were statistically better at UCLA scale (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Female patients had a higher mean UCLA score than male patients (p = 0.01). Anatomically reduced fractures had higher UCLA scores (p = 0.0001) and lower necrosis rate (p = 0.0001). Reconstruction of humeral head fractures had a satisfactory outcome in 55.8% of cases and should be indicated in young and active patients.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados dos pacientes com fraturas epifisárias tratados com redução e osteossíntese. MÉTODO: Entre outubro de 1996 e dezembro de 2009 foram operados 53 ombros (52 pacientes) com fraturas epifisárias. Foram excluídos os pacientes tratados com artroplastia primária e/ou que tinham seguimento inferior a dois anos. Foram reavaliados 34 ombros de 34 pacientes, 23 do sexo masculino, com média de 47 anos. A avaliação foi feita com a escala da UCLA. RESULTADOS: O tempo de seguimento pós-operatório médio foi de 50 meses. Doze pacientes evoluíram com resultados excelentes, sete bons, cinco regulares e dez maus (55,8% de resultados satisfatórios e 44,2% de insatisfatórios). O escore UCLA teve média de 26 pontos. As médias de mobilidade pós-operatória foram de 117° de elevação, 36° de RL e L1 de RM. No RX pós-operatório imediato, verificamos a redução anatômica em 17 pacientes (50%). A necrose foi constatada em 18 pacientes, seis grau II e 12 grau III. Sexo feminino e fraturas reduzidas anatomicamente foram estatisticamente melhores na escala da UCLA (p = 0,01 e p = 0,0001 respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: O sexo feminino teve um valor médio do UCLA superior ao sexo masculino (p = 0,01). As fraturas reduzidas anatomicamente obtiveram UCLA superior (p = 0,0001) e um menor índice de necrose (p = 0,0001). A reconstrução das fraturas epifisárias levou a resultados satisfatórios em 55,8%, deve ser indicada para pacientes jovens e ativos.

EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC STIFFNESS OF THE ELBOW IN SKELETALLY MATURE PATIENTS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results from surgical treatment of posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow in skeletally mature patients. METHODS: Between October 2000 and October 2007, 45 elbows of 45 patients underwent surgical treatment performed by the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo. Ten patients were treated arthroscopically and the remainder by open surgery. The minimum follow-up was six months, with a mean of 22 months. Their ages ranged from 17 to 72 years, with a mean of 36 years and three months. Males predominated, accounting for 60% of the cases. The dominant limb was involved in 56.5% of the cases. The clinical evaluation of the results was done by using the criteria of the American Medical Association (AMA), as modified by Bruce; the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS); and measurements on the gain of flexion-extension arc and the final range of motion. RESULTS: According to the AMA criteria, as modified by Bruce, 42.2% of our results were satisfactory, whereas 77.8% were satisfactory according to MEPS. The mean postoperative flexion-extension arc was 106°, and the main gain in range was 46°. The evaluation of the variables showed that patients with an initial flexion arc greater than 90° achieved a greater final flexion-extension arc, and those with an initial extension less than or equal to 60° gained greater range of motion. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow in skeletally mature individuals was shown to be satisfactory according to MEPS, but unsatisfactory according to AMA. We observed that the patients with preoperative flexion greater than 90° evolved with a greater flexion-extension arc after surgical treatment, while those who had contracture with extension less than or equal to 60° gained a greater range of motion.