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Humerus Fractures, Proximal
- Proximal fractures of the humerus only account for about 5% of all fractures but account for 45% of all humeral fractures.
- We should be familar with the Neer Classication System for Humeral fractures, which can also be seen at http://health-7.com/Handbook%20of%20Fractures/15%20-%20Proximal%20Humerus%20Fractures
- The classification system classifies fractures based on
- 1-part
- 2-part
- 3-part
- 4-part
- The bony segments that make up the parts are
- Greater Tuberosity (GT)
- Lesser Tuberosity (LT)
- Humeral Head
- Humeral Surgical Neck (SN)
- A part is defined as displaced if >1 cm of fracture displacement or >45 degrees of angulation.
- The greater the number of parts the more likely the patient will require surgery or have increased complications.
- 3 and 4 part fractures are often fixed surgical due to the increased risk of vascualr compromise to the humeral head.