title: Surgical treatment of varus malunion of the proximal humerus with valgus osteotomy.
abstract: Among the complications of 2-part fractures of the upper end of the humerus, little attention has been paid to the treatment of the varus malunion. However, this deformity frequently causes pain and disability of the shoulder. To improve this condition, we treated this malunion with a valgus wedge osteotomy. From August 1995 to January 1999, 5 patients with this deformity, all complaining about pain or unsatisfactory function of the shoulder (University of California, Los Angeles score <13), underwent osteotomy and internal fixation with a plate and screws. The mean age was 53 years (range, 25-73 years), there were 4 male patients, and the left side was involved in 4 cases. The mean follow-up was 34 months (range, 22-63 months). Union occurred in all cases by 6 weeks. Three of the results were excellent, and two were good (University of California, Los Angeles score >30). All patients were satisfied with the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Group, Orthopedics Department, College of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benegas
authors.forename: Américo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zoppi Filho
authors.forename: Arnaldo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferreira Filho
authors.forename: Arnaldo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferreira Neto
authors.forename: Jacqueline H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: Flavia S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Prada
authors.forename: Arnaldo V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Zumiotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*