Supporting the medial hinge in proximal humerus fractures with an intramedullary plate

Tjibbe J Gardenbroek; Sharon Oud; Henk A Formijne Jonkers; J Carel Goslings

doi:10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100474

Supporting the medial hinge in proximal humerus fractures with an intramedullary plate

Trauma Case Rep. 2021 Apr 21:33:100474. doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2021.100474. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Authors

Tjibbe J Gardenbroek¹, Sharon Oud¹, Henk A Formijne Jonkers¹, J Carel Goslings¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Trauma Surgery, OLVG Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Proximal humerus fractures are common and approximately 20% of displaced fractures may benefit from surgery. A lack of medial support is found to be a predictor of failure after surgical fixation of proximal humerus fractures. The optimal technique for restoring the medial hinge is unclear. We describe two cases of patients with a dislocated 4-part humerus fracture treated with a locking plate and an additional small intramedullary plate to support the medial hinge. This technique is simple and allows for an enhanced stability of the medial hinge during and after surgery.

Keywords: Intramedullary plate; Medial hinge plate; Proximal humerus fracture.

Publication types

Case Reports