Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Background: Fracture of the proximal humerus is a challenging fracture in diagnosis and treatment. Different methods of treatment of the proximal humerus are either concerned with anatomical reduction or functional outcome with very big arguments between both techniques. Open reduction and internal fixation provides good reduction facilities and stable fixation, but at the expense of vascularity of the head and functional outcome. On the other hand although closed reduction and per-cutaneous pinning is not a rigid fixation, it preserves vacularity of the head and allows early movement and excellent functional outcome. Complications following this technique are transient and easy to be treated. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the results of treatment of fractures of the proximal part of the humerus by closed reduction and per-cutaneous pin fixation. Methods: We included 20 patients in this study, 14 males and 6 females, their age ranged between 16-72 years with a mean age 45.3, all were treated by closed reduction and per-cutaneous pinning using K-wires or terminally threaded pins, all cases followed up for 6 months, and constant score was used to assess the functional outcome. Results: We had 100% satisfactory results. Age is an important factor in determining the outcome, we found that age is indirectly proportional to the functional outcome and our best results were among patients aged below 50 years. We also found that sex, and occupation also affects the treatment outcome

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