title: Results of open reduction and internal fixation of severe fractures of the proximal humerus in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical and radiological results with open reduction and internal fixation of severe fractures of the proximal humerus in the patients over the age of 60 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 1992 and February 2011, 21 patients with FGEPU over the age of 60 years were treated by open reduction and internal fixation at the Group of Shoulder and Elbow Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Santa Casa de São Paulo Medical School. 18 patients were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients had excellent results, 12 good, three regular and one bad. Therefore, we find that 77.7% of these had good and excellent results. All patients were satisfied with the treatment and only three patients did not return to previous activities. Mean postoperative mobilities were 122° elevation (90-150°), 39 lateral rotation (20-60°) and medial rotation of T11 (T5 to sacro iliac joint).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open reduction and internal fixation of FGEPU may also be indicated for elderly patients and obtained 77.7% of good and excellent results. Statistically (p < 0.05), the anatomical reduction of the fracture was found to be important for obtaining good results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Naoki
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregoneze
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Doneux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Andrade
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: do Val Sella
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Manoel Fonseca
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Tonding
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Davanso
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio Luiz
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Checchia
keywords: Avascular necrosis; Elderly; Fracture fixation, internal; Humeral fractures