Proximal Humeral Fracture Treated with Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) via a T-Shaped Small Incision

Background: Proximal humeral fractures account for approximately 5% of all fractures. New plating techniques such as the Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) have been developed to improve stability. In view of the extensive application of minimally invasive technique, T-shaped small incision-based PHILOS plating was evaluated in this study for its clinical efficacy in treating proximal humeral fractures. Methods: A total of 86 patients with proximal humeral fractures (46 men, 40 women; mean age: 62.7 +/- 9.6 years, range: 35-84 years) treated with T-shaped small incision-based PHILOS plating from June 2009 to June 2013 were retrospectively studied for its clinical efficacy. Results: The mean postoperative follow-up length was 29.6 months (range: 12-48 months). The mean time to fracture healing was 11.6 +/- 2.2 weeks (8-16 weeks). Based on Neer scoring system, the following 3 outcome categories, including excellent (n = 46), favorable (n = 32) and acceptable (n = 8) were observed, with excellent plus favorable rate up to 90.7%. Conclusions: T-shaped small incision-based PHILOS plate is an effective technique for proximal humeral fracture. It can provide a reliable fixation and facilitates to the early functional exercise and improved functioning of the patients.