Minimally invasive fixation for unstable two-part proximal humeral fractures: surgical techniques and clinical results using j-nails.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of a minimally invasive treatment of unstable two-part proximal humeral fractures using a J-nail.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

PATIENTS: Forty-one unstable two-part proximal humeral fractures (thirty women and eleven men) with a mean age of sixty-five years (range 18 to 95 years) were studied.

INTERVENTION: Closed reduction and internal fixation with J-nails.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All fractures were classified using Neer's classification and were displaced and unstable. Forty of the two-part fractures were at the surgical neck and one at the anatomic neck. All patients had a closed reduction and intramedullary fixation using three J-nails. The mean follow-up period was twenty-nine months (range 2 to 4 years). Clinical assessment was performed by doctors who did not participate in the primary surgery and was graded according to Neer's scoring system.

RESULTS: All patients experienced immediate pain relief. At the two-year follow-up, the mean angles of active forward elevation, abduction, and extension were 138 degrees (range 80 to 180 degrees), 132 degrees (range 80 to 170 degrees), and 65 degrees (range 40 to 85 degrees), respectively. According to Neer's criteria, the outcome was excellent in twenty-five patients, satisfactory in twelve, unsatisfactory in three, and a failure in one. The final Neer's score showed a significant negative correlation with age (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: J-nail fixation has the advantage of being an almost closed method without the disadvantage of muscle transfixation associated with other methods. The procedure is simple and involves minimal invasion of the soft tissue. Shoulder and elbow function is not impeded because the nails are inserted just below the distal part of the deltoid muscle insertion. This surgical technique may be one of the more reliable and effective treatments for proximal humeral fractures.