title: Proximal humeral fractures revisited.
abstract: Although 80% of proximal humeral fractures can be managed fairly easily, 20% are significantly displaced and difficult to analyze and treat. The four-segment classification of proximal humeral fractures allows the fracture to be understood and described intelligently, provides a guide to treatment, and helps the physician to make early prognostic judgments. Plain radiographs, tomography, and/or CT scanning allows an individual case to be fitted into the classification scheme. Treatment (non-operative or operative) depends on the degree of displacement of the four major segments, whether the humeral articular surface is involved, and whether the glenohumeral joint is dislocated. Follow-up care and rehabilitation are extremely important for an optimum final outcome.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Goss
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*