Journal Article

Proximal humeral fractures: association between displacement and fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus muscle

Meza-Camacho, Jorge, Salinas-Garza, Ricardo, Peña-Martínez, Victor, Tamez-Mata, Yadira, Villarreal-Villarreal, Gregorio, Acosta-Olivo, Carlos, Simental-Mendía, Mario

2024

Overview

Introduction To evaluate the relationship between initial displacement in proximal humeral fractures and fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff measured by CT according to the Goutallier classification. Material and methods This cross-sectional observational study evaluated patients with proximal humeral fractures over a six-month period. The study included patients ≥ 18 years old with complete radiological views (anteroposterior, lateral, and Grashey) and a CT scan of the affected shoulder; previous fracture or ipsilateral shoulder surgery were excluded. Neer’s classification system and Goutallier stages were used to evaluate the patients. Demographic data were collected and, two groups were analysed according to age (≤ 50 years and > 50 years). Results Sixty-two patients were included (m = 36, f = 26, ratio 1.3:1); seven patients were excluded. Male patients (36, 58.1%), patients older than 50 years (33, 53.2%) and a low-energy injury mechanism (36, 58.1%) were the most frequent cases. According to the Neer system, the most common proximal humerus fracture was fracture-dislocation in 17 (27.4%) cases. The most common stage in Goutallier’s classification was I (some fatty streaks) in 22 (35.4%) cases. Younger patients (≤ 50 years) had more displaced fractures with low fatty degeneration ( p  = < 0.001) than older patients (> 50 years), who had minimally displaced fractures with greater fatty degeneration ( p  = 0.567). Conclusions High-energy mechanisms are associated with younger patients and a more displaced fracture according to the Neer classification. Older patients had a more advanced Goutallier stage and lesser displaced fracture. We should consider a more aggressive approach in the treatment of non-displaced fractures in elderly patients, less conservative and more surgical management, to obtain a better clinical evolution after the treatment of these kinds of fractures. Level of evidence IV.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adipose Tissue - diagnostic imaging / Adipose Tissue - pathology / Adult / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Classification / Cross-Sectional Studies / Female / Humans / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Orthopaedic Surgery / Orthopedics / Rotator Cuff - diagnostic imaging / Rotator Cuff - pathology / Shoulder Fractures - classification / Shoulder Fractures - complications / Shoulder Fractures - diagnostic imaging / Tomography, X-Ray Computed