Abstract

• A study was made of 39 cases of proximal humeral fractures and fracuture dislocations in adults who had been hospitalized and treated at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, from March 1983 to August 1988.
  Analysis was based on the age, sex distribution, causes, classification of fracture, associated injuries, treatments, results of treatment and complications.
  The results obtained were as follows;
  1. the age of the patients ranged from 15 to 82 years with a mean of 46.8 years the highest incidence was in the fifth decades and male were affected more frequently than female.
  2. The main cause of the fractures was traffic accident 20(51.3%) and the others were slip-down 10(25.6%), fall from a height 8(20.5%) and direct blow 1(2.6%)
  3. According to Neers classification, 2-part fracture 28(71.8%) was the most common type and followed by 1-part fracture, head-splitting or head-fragmented fracture, 3-part fracture and 4-part fracture in the order of frequency.
  4. Among the 39 cases, 25 cases(64.1%) were treated conservatively an 14 cases(35.9%) operatively.
  5. The most common complication was joint stiffness.
  6. The results of the cases were rated by the Neers numerical system. Of 39, 14 cases (35.9%) were excellent, 21 cases(53.8%) satisfactory, and 4 cases(10.3%) poor. Most of the poor results were the cases that were immobilized for a long time because of severe comminution, associated injury or poor general condition. It was thought important to allow early motion of joint to obtain a good functional result.
• Key words: Fractures, Humerus, proximal

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