title: USE OF THE PFO(®) NUT IN TREATING FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL THIRD OF THE HUMERUS IN PATIENTS WITH BONE FRAGILITY.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical results from application of the PFO(®) bone fixation nut, which was developed for use with 4.5 mm cortical screws, and to analyze any complications or bone reactions caused by this synthesis in porotic bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 1999 and November 2007, the PFO(®) nut was used on 23 patients who underwent osteosynthesis with a PFS 80(®) plate in the proximal segment, to treat acute fractures, pseudarthrosis or defective consolidations. The average age of the patients was 69 years, and the average length of follow-up was 40 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one patient did not present consolidation. The complications observed were: two cases of medial cortical fracture; one case of loosening of the nut; three cases of bone reabsorption around the PFO(®), but two of these without clinical repercussions; and one case in which the fracture failed to consolidate, with consequent loosening of the fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors conclude that the use of the PFO(®) nut is a practical and effective alternative for osteosynthesis in patients with fractures of the proximal segment or sequelae from fractures of the humerus associated with bone fragility.
authors.affiliation: PhD angd Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Head of the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Alberto Naoki
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregoneze
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Pedro Doneux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Luciana Andrade
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Davi Calixto
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Jose da
authors.initials: Jd
authors.lastname: Mota Neto
authors.affiliation: Trainee Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Luis Henrique
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: de Camargo Rossato
authors.affiliation: PhD and Adjunct Professor; Head of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Academic Consultant in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Sergio Luiz
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Checchia
keywords: Aged; Fracture fixation, internal; Fractures; Humerus; Osteoporosis