title: Percutaneous fixation with Schanz screws for displaced two- and three- part fractures of the proximal humerus in patients above fifty years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate whether two 3.0 mm Schanz screws in two-part proximal humeral fractures (plus one additional Schanz screw or K wire in three-part fractures) can provide enough stability to allow early mobilization until healing occurs in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was performed in the Orthopaedic Department of our University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for thirty-three patients with proximal humerus fractures. Twenty-seven patients were available for the final follow-up. Of those 27 patients, 17 had two-part surgical neck fractures; while 10 had three-part fractures. For fixation, we used two 3.0 mm Schanz screws in patients with two-part fractures plus one additional Schanz screw or K wire in the 10 patients with three-part fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Constant score modified according to the age and sex was 89.8% (range: 77.3-97.2%). Fifteen patients had excellent results, 11 patients had good results, and one patient had a fair result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning with two Schanz screws for two-part surgical neck humeral fractures, plus an additional Schanz screw or K wire for three-part proximal humeral fractures is a useful and effective technique that provides enough stability to allow an early rehabilitation program till union occurs in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV; therapeutic study, case series.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
authors: Abdelsalam
authors: A
authors: Eid
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Osman
authors: Hosam-Eldeen
authors: HE
authors: Fekry