Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the effects of medial support screws (MSS) on the locking proximal humeral plate in elderly patients who suffered from proximal humeral fractures. METHODS: From December 2016 to December 2018, eighty-five elderly patients who suffered from proximal humeral fracture and received standard plate or locking plate with or without MSS were selected. The patients were allocated into 3 groups: Standard plate group (n=23), Locking plate without MSS group (n=34) and Locking plate with MSS group (n=28). Clinical data from all these 3 groups were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: These eighty-five elder patients (ranging 60-78 years) accomplished a follow-up with an average of 16.3 months. The outcome data showed that significant difference was found on the Constant score, humeral internal rotation angle and humeral height ratio (all the P<0.05) among 3 groups, and a highest Constant score and a lowest humeral internal rotation angle and humeral height ratio loss was revealed in Locking platelet with MSS group. Furthermore, the lowest incidence of post-operation complication events (7.1%, P=0.051) and an evident reduction of secondary surgery incidence (P=0.021) was also presented in Locking plate with MSS among these 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The medial support screws in the locking proximal humeral plate in treating proximal humeral fractures could reduce humerus restoration loss and humeral internal rotation angle.