title: Internal fixation and strut allograft augmentation for periprosthetic humeral fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report 6 patients with periprosthetic humeral fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation with plate and strut allograft augmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 women aged 69 to 79 (mean, 73) years underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plate and strut allograft augmentation for periprosthetic humeral fractures (type C) after a fall. They had undergone reverse shoulder arthroplasty for rotator cuff arthropathy. The mean interval between the initial arthroplasty and the fracture was 17 (range, 11-21) months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 14 (range, 12-16) months. The mean time to union was 5.4 (range, 4-6) months. All fractures united without complications. The mean Constant score at the last follow-up was 64 (range, 56-80). The range of shoulder movement and patient satisfaction were restored to pre-fracture status in all patients, except for one who had more pain in the lateral area of the arm (probably because of soft-tissue irritation by the plate and wires). Three patients had evidence of graft-to-host union and 3 others had graft resorption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal fixation with plate, cable wires and strut allogaft augmentation achieves satisfactory results for periprosthetic humeral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Medicine School, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. anmarti67@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Angel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuenca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrera
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D057068:Periprosthetic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery