title: Does fracture of the dominant shoulder have any effect on functional and quality of life outcome compared with the nondominant shoulder?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Proximal humeral fractures involving the dominant arm are not predisposed to worsen the functional outcome and the quality of life compared with proximal humeral fractures of the nondominant arm.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study including 179 consecutive proximal humeral fractures divided into 2 groups: fractures involving the dominant arm (n = 97) and fractures involving the nondominant arm (n = 82). Both groups were prospectively assessed for 2 years, and at the end of the follow-up, all patients underwent functional assessment by Constant score and quality of life assessment through the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 2-year follow-up, the mean Constant score of the whole series was 65.5 (64.1 in the dominant group and 66.8 in the nondominant group). No significant differences were noted between groups in the total Constant score or among any of the items of the Constant score (total Constant score, P = .43; pain, P = .63; activities of daily living, P = .70; forward elevation, P = .57; abduction, P = .52; lateral rotation; P = .90; internal rotation, P = .32; and strength, P = .24). The mean physical component summary score of the SF-36 at the 2-year follow-up was 40.8 (39.7 in the dominant group and 41.9 in the nondominant group). The mean mental component summary score of the SF-36 at the 2-year follow-up was 43.5 (44.2 in the dominant group and 42.7 in the nondominant group). No significant differences were noted between groups in any item of the SF-36 (physical component summary score, P = .29; mental component summary score, P = .51).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant difference could be found relating to dominance in functional outcome and in the quality of life perception in proximal humeral fractures. Dominance of the affected shoulder has no influence and should not be used to make treatment decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: 86925@parcdesalutmar.cat.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torrens
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isart
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santana
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Fracture; conservative treatment; dominance; osteoporosis; outcome; proximal humerus; quality of life; surgical treatment