title: Treatment of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus: transcutaneous reduction and Hoffmann's external fixation.
abstract: Experience with transcutaneous reduction and external fixation of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus is presented in a series of 28 cases followed for 1 year or more. In 18 cases near-anatomical fracture reduction was obtained, while no improvement of fracture position was seen in two cases. Loosening of the pins was a major complication in five cases, all in patients with severe osteoporosis or head splitting fractures, where fracture reduction was unsatisfactory. The functional results were satisfactory, and the method is considered a useful alternative in the treatment of these difficult fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing