Clinical outcomes of a novel ‘all-suture’ fixation for valgus-impacted proximal humeral fractures

Abstract

Background

Conventional techniques for the fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures include the use of locking plates, intramedullary nailing, hemiarthroplasty and reverse shoulder replacement. Valgus-impacted fractures are a common subtype of proximal humeral fracture, but there are few publications concerning the outcomes of treatment. This study aims to review outcomes following an ‘all-suture’ technique for this fracture subtype without the use of transosseous sutures.

Methods

All patients over the age of 18 who presented with 3- or 4-part valgus-impacted proximal humeral fractures and who underwent ‘all-suture’ repair at our centre were included. We reviewed their post-operative imaging and collected data on post-operative complications and patient-reported outcome measures.

Results

We identified 15 patients who had undergone all-suture fixation. The cohort's mean age was 56. Eleven patients were female. Eight patients had 3-part fractures and seven patients had 4-part fractures. There were no major post-operative complications. All fractures united. The mean Oxford Shoulder Score was 43.7 and the mean Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation score was 85.9 at the final follow-up.

Discussion

Our results suggest that all-suture fixation of proximal humeral fractures presents an attractive alternative to conventional techniques, whilst avoiding complications relating to metalwork implantation.