title: Treatment of proximal humerus fractures with a CFR-PEEK plate: 2-year results of a prospective study and comparison to fixation with a conventional locking plate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A radiolucent carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) plate was recently introduced for fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Prospective clinical and radiographic results of patients treated with a CFR-PEEK plate are compared with those of patients treated with a conventional locking plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 66 years) were treated with a CFR-PEEK plate for a 3- or 4-part proximal humerus fracture. Patients were clinically and radiographically re-examined at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months with the Simple Shoulder Test, Constant-Murley score (CMS), and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) as well as with simple radiographs. In addition, results were compared with a matched group of patients treated with a conventional locking plate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the final follow-up examination at 24 months, patients achieved a mean Simple Shoulder Test score of 58%, a mean CMS of 71.3 points (range, 44-97), and a mean OSS of 27.4 points (range, 8-45). Bone union was confirmed in all patients. Compared with patients treated with the conventional locking plate, patients treated with the CFR-PEEK plate achieved significantly better results with regard to the CMS and the OSS (P = .038 and .029, respectively). Furthermore, loss of reduction with subsequent varus deformity was less frequently observed in the CFR-PEEK plate group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fixation of proximal humerus fractures with a CFR-PEEK plate provides satisfying clinical and radiographic results after 2 years of follow-up. The results are comparable to those achieved with conventional locking plates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany. Electronic address: benedikt.schliemann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schliemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartensuer
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Thorben
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Theisen
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Raschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kösters
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weimann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001577:Benzophenones; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D007659:Ketones; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: PEEK plate; PHILOS plate; Proximal humerus fracture; humeral head fracture; locking plate fixation