Strength recovery after proximal humeral fractures treated with locking plate

• Published in: Musculoskeletal surgery Vol. 98; no. Suppl 1; pp. 61 - 69
• Main Authors: Verdano, M. A., Baudi, P., Pellegrini, A., Lunini, E., Aliani, D., Scita, G., Schiavi, P., Costantino, C., Ceccarelli, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01.04.2014; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Plates; Care and treatment; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Healing; Fractures; Humans; Internal fixation in fractures; Male; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Medicine, Experimental; Middle Aged; Original Article; Orthopedics; Prospective Studies; Radiography - methods; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Shoulder Fractures - diagnosis; Shoulder Fractures - surgery; Surgical Orthopedics; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Constant–Murley score; Locking plate; Proximal humeral fracture; Isokinetic tests; Outcome; Strength recovery
• ISSN: 2035-5106; 2035-5114
• DOI: 10.1007/s12306-014-0323-2

Purpose The aim of this study is to understand whether the isokinetic strength could be a valid objective data of functional recovery evaluating a group of patients with proximal humeral fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation with locking plate comparing the clinical and functional recovery (isokinetic strength) with the not involved side. Methods Seventy patients underwent surgery with locking plate placement for proximal humeral fractures. The strength of each patient’s shoulders, both involved and not involved, was evaluated using isokinetic tests and Constant–Murley score. Finally, the study included 48 patients and the mean follow-up of 33 months. Results The functional outcome showed no significant differences between operated and not operated shoulder. Conclusions This study shows that the assessment of the force can be supported by use of tools such as the evaluation with isokinetic machines with the advantage of having, in this way, an objective data on the functional recovery. Level of evidence III.