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Prevalence of non-union and delayed union in proximal humeral fractures

Version 2 2024-06-03, 16:35
Version 1 2016-09-25, 15:40
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 16:35 authored by MK Papakonstantinou, MJ Hart, R Farrugia, C Gosling, A Kamali Moaveni, D van Bavel, Richard PageRichard Page, MD Richardson
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of proximal humeral non-union. There is disagreement on what constitutes union, delayed union and non-union. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of these complications in proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) admitted to trauma hospitals. METHODS: The Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry identified 419 cases of PHFs, of which 306 were analysed. Three upper limb orthopaedic surgeons used X-rays to classify fractures according to the Neer classification and determine union. Twelve-item Short Form Health Survey scores were used to assess patient health and wellbeing. RESULTS: Of 306 cases, 49.4% reached union. Median time to union was 100 days (confidence interval 90-121). Of these, 17.0% united by 60 days, 8.5% united by 89 days and 23.9% united after 90 days, demonstrating 'prolonged delayed union'. There were 25 non-unions with a prevalence of 8.2%, most occurring in two-part surgical neck fractures. CONCLUSION: Our cohort of largely displaced PHFs admitted to trauma hospitals had a non-union prevalence of 8.2% and an overall delayed union prevalence of 32.4%. Consensus is required on definitions of non-union and delayed union timeframes.

History

Journal

ANZ journal of surgery

Volume

87

Pagination

55-59

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

1445-2197

eISSN

1445-2197

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article, C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

Issue

1-2

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell