title: Surgical treatment of comminuted, displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus: a new technique of double-row suture-anchor fixation and long-term results.
abstract: Conventional techniques of internal fixation of displaced fractures of the greater tuberosity may be insufficient in presence of comminution. A new surgical technique of internal fixation using a double-row of suture-anchors is described. Long-term results of this technique are evaluated in 21 patients with an isolated, displaced and comminuted greater tuberosity fracture at an average of 3.5 years (range 1-5 years) after surgery. The average age of the patients in the study was 51 years (range 17-93 years). Twenty fractures healed without post-operative displacement. The result was rated as excellent in 8, good in 10, satisfactory in 2 and unsatisfactory in 1 patient. Post-operative bicipital impingement in two patients and reaction to fixation material in one patient resulted in persistent, severe pain in the rehabilitation period, necessitating additional surgery.
authors.affiliation: Cape Shoulder Institute, Suite no. 4, Medgroup Anlin House, 43 Bloulelie Crescent, Plattekloof, Cape Town, South Africa. thebonesmith@gmail.com
authors.forename: Deepak N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Karin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: van Rooyen
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.forename: Joe F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: de Beer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques