Angle- and rotation-stable internal fixation of proximal humerus fractureswith the Humerus Fixator Plate. Early clinical experience with a newly developed implant

Introduction: The Humerus Fixator Plate is presented as a new implant for a ngle- and rotation-stable internal fixation for the operative treatment of proximal humerus fractures at the surgical neck. Methods: In an ongoing two -centre study, 47 patients were treated with the new implant. To date, 31 p atients had clinical and radiological postoperative follow-up examinations with a mean interval of 10 months (range: 6-14 months). Results: In 46 pati ents (97.9%), complete angle and rotational stability was achieved without limiting the range of motion or requiring immobilization. Good pain relief was obtained in 43 patients (91.5%), and 3 patients (6.4%) showed moderate pain relief following surgery. There was one implant failure. Utilizing the ConstantRaw score (without any correction factors), a mean result of 82.8 points (range: 46-100 points) was ascertained. The majority of the patients (87.1%) achieved "excellent" or "good" clinical results. X-ray analysis re vealed no non-union nor humerus head necrosis. In 4 cases (12.9%). protrusi on of a humerus head screw was observed which mandated removal of the impla nt. Conclusion: The first clinical investigations of the novel Humerus Fixa tor Plate are encouraging and provide essential advances in the treatment o f unstable proximal humerus fractures.