title: Current trends in conservative treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus.
abstract: Forty-nine fractures treated conservatively with 30 days of immobilization in a Desault bandage or a suspension cast (3 cases) are discussed. The diaphyseal index was used to check for correlation between the degree of osteoporosis and the extent and type of fracture. After an average follow-up of 6.7 months, 67% of the 36 patients reviewed had a satisfactory clinical and radiographic result and adequate healing, even those with a high degree of osteoporosis. There was no significant correlation between the type of fracture (location and degree of displacement) and the severity of bone resorption. We would emphasize that 33% of the unsatisfactory results were mostly due to the radiographic findings which, scored using the Neer system, were rated unsatisfactory even though the corresponding results were satisfactory as far as the clinical symptoms and signs. In our opinion, proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients should be treated conservatively, especially in cases of slight or moderate displacement.
authors.affiliation: II Clinica Ortopedica dell'Università La Sapienza, Roma.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calvisi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morico
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caruccio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romanini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing