title: Management of surgical neck nonunions.
abstract: A surgical neck nonunion is a seriously debilitating complication of a proximal humerus fracture. Patients have virtually no functional use of their shoulders and experience pain. Successful treatment is reliable in relief of pain and potentially can restore function. The diagnosis is not difficult, however, a CT scan may be necessary to identify tuberosity or head-splitting fractures. Successful treatment for these nonunions is difficult but gratifying because the percent improvement is immense.
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Galatz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Iannotti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000601:surgery*