Promising early results seen with locked IM nail for proximal humerus fractures

NEW YORK — A minimum 1-year follow-up of patients treated with a new locked intramedullary nail designed for proximal humerus fractures shows minimal pain, a low complication rate and an average age-adjusted Constant score of 87 points.

“All the fractures treated with this device healed. We think that is due to sparing the vascularity. There were minimal tuberosity complications. We think that validates the concept of using a more tuberosity-based fixation with our proximal screws. [We had] pretty good clinical results with complications, but a low complication rate, and the patients overall had minimal shoulder pain after treatment with this [device],” Armodios Hatzidakis, MD, said at the International Fracture Repair Society meeting, here.

Hatzidakis presented results of the first 41 cases treated with the Tornier’s Aequalis nail. The patients had an average age of 59 years and follow-up ranging from 12 months to 31 months. Data available for 36 patients showed an average pain score of 13, with a score of 15 points denoting no pain. Overall, patients had an average forward flexion of 139° and the average external rotation was 50°. Hatzidakis noted there were two tuberosity nonunions, two patients with postoperative loss of reduction, two patients who underwent removal of symptomatic proximal screws, three cases of avascular necrosis, three cases of prolonged stiffness and five cases of varus collapse of the humeral head. – by Gina Brockenbrough, MA

Reference:

Hatzidakis A. Abstract #71. Presented at: International Fracture Repair Society Meeting; May 14-17, 2014; New York.

Disclosure: Hatzidakis is a consultant for the Aequalis implant and is on the design team.