Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are more prevalent in elderly; the incidence rate is approximately 73/100,000 [¹]. Depending on fracture severity, treatment can range from conservative to arthroplasty. Decision is based on age and patient expectations, on assessment of radiographs or computed tomography (CT) and on different fracture classification systems [², ³]. However, the different classification systems have been much disputed for reproducibility and effectiveness in predicting outcome [⁴].

The severe implications of treatment decisions combined with the subjectivity of PHF classification systems encouraged us to investigate whether a computerised functional assessment of fractures adds support to optimal treatment decision. A critical aspect in the prediction of outcome of PHFs is altered bony morphology, leading to loss of range of motion (ROM) and persisting pain. In this report, we demonstrate the clinical use of a CT-based computerised functional simulation model in a relative young patient with a Neer three-part PHF.

The patient was a 58-year-old healthy woman who fell from her bike. Physical examination at the emergency department revealed a painful, slightly swollen right shoulder with ecchymosis, without neurovascular injury. X-rays (Fig. 1) showed a three-part PHF.

In this case, radiographs alone could potentially lead to misdiagnosing this fracture as a two-part with only slight medial displacement. CT imaging revealed a three-part fracture with significant medial displacement of the humeral shaft (23 mm) and internal rotation of 38°. Subsequently, the CT was analysed with Articulis software (Clinical Graphics, Den Haag, The Netherlands), designed for assessment and simulation of bone-determined ROM. It uses a kinematic model and collision detection to predict ROM, described in detail by Krekel et al. [⁵, ⁶]

Pre-operative simulation of ROM, assuming the fracture would have healed in this configuration, indicated that the available range of external rotation in 0° adduction would be limited to 4°, due to medialisation and rotation of the humeral shaft. According to the simulations, this limitation of external rotation would be nullified beyond 45° of abduction, giving rise to the question whether this would be problematic in daily life. Although the greater tuberosity was clearly displaced, the ROM simulations did not show impingement between the greater tuberosity and the acromial arch (Fig. 2).

Conservative treatment was chosen because the predicted deficiency in ROM would not be limiting. However, in the first week of immobilisation, secondary radiologic displacement of fracture (further medialisation of the humeral shaft) occurred, probably due to displacing forces of amongst others teres minor and pectoralis major muscles. Therefore, it was decided to perform open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), with an angular stable locking plate (Litos Tifix, Hamburg). Figure 3 shows post-operative radiographs.

Active forward flexion and circumduction were initiated directly post-operative. After 2 weeks, active physiotherapy was allowed with maximum forward flexion of 90° and external rotation of 20°, followed by unrestricted training after 6 weeks. The patient gave an informed consent prior being included into this study.

Post-operatively, ROM simulations indicated that external rotation in adduction was now limited to 20°. Beyond 20° of abduction, no limitation of external rotation and no impingement of the greater tuberosity occurred (Fig. 4). Plain follow-up X-rays showed normal fracture healing without secondary displacement or early signs of avascular necrosis.

ROM at 12 weeks post-operatively includes the following: active forward flexion 110°, external rotation in adduction 15° and in 90° of abduction 30°. Further improvement of the ROM is to be expected up to the first post-operative year [⁷, ⁸]. The patient had no pain.

There is an ongoing discussion whether or not to operate on PHF especially in the elderly patient, as sufficient proof from large prospective randomised clinical trials is lacking. A recent Cochrane analysis showed that three- and four-part fractures may not heal unless an adequate reduction and stabilisation are performed [⁹]. However, the very limited evidence available does not confirm that surgery is preferable to conservative treatment and complications associated with surgery need to be considered [¹⁰]. In this case, we first decided to treat the patient conservatively as the external rotation was mainly limited in adduction. However, due to secondary displacement, we decided to perform surgery. A second pre-operative CT scan for functional analysis was not performed, in order to minimise radiation exposure, since there was an indication for surgical treatment. We are confident that the analysis of the secondary displacement would have shown worse functional outcome.

The post-operative analysis showed a clear improvement of external rotation due to ORIF of the fracture. Despite the relatively short follow-up (12 weeks), functional recovery had already almost reached the predicted functional outcome levels. External rotation in adduction had reached 15°. This is a good clinical outcome when compared to the predicted 4° for conservative treatment. It resembles the results of surgically treated PHFs found by Südkamp et al. [⁷]. The relatively small amount of posterior displacement of the greater tuberosity did not present a posterior impingement or a deficit in ROM in CT analysis. It is expected that further exercise can improve ROM in the next months.

As restoration of ROM, besides pain relief, should play a central role in choosing a treatment, this new technique may provide surgeons with a better tool to predict surgical success and patient satisfaction. The ability to choose patients that may benefit the most from surgery in an early stage of the treatment may not only improve functional outcome after surgically treatment, but also provide for a better informed consent.

Of course the key to success for this new CT-based simulation in predicting post-fracture ROM is its correlation to clinical outcome. Although just one case was evaluated, we believe that it is a promising technique to predict post-fracture ROM, assuming there is no additional pathology to the rotator cuff and abductor mechanism (deltoid muscle and axillary nerve). The hypothesis is that it is a helpful tool for choosing between conservative or operative treatment and should in the future be tested using a randomised controlled trial.

The authors reported no conflict of interest.

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