Latest research on proximal humerus fractures

24 papers · updated 2026-09-26 · Shoulder & Elbow · All topics

The newest papers on proximal humerus fractures from the orthopaedic journals The Reduction reads, newest first, each with a one-line summary. The list is drawn from the digest’s archive and refreshed every week.

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Recent papers

  1. The Neer classification, but not the AO classification, is associated with 10-year clinical outcomes in nonoperatively treated proximal humeral fractures: a cohort study in Malmö, Sweden.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    Neer classification predicts 10-year outcomes in nonoperatively treated proximal humeral fractures; AO classification does not correlate with function.

  2. Long-term outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty versus nonoperative treatment for 3- or 4-part proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients: results from a prior randomized clinical trial.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    At 7-year follow-up, reverse shoulder arthroplasty provided better functional outcomes than nonoperative treatment for displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humerus fractures in patients over 80.

  3. Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fractures Using the Biomet Comprehensive Shoulder System: One-Year Results Reflect Clinically Meaningful Recovery.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 18 2026 · PubMed

    In 64 patients with rTSA for proximal humerus fractures, pain relief and function were largely achieved by one year, with only modest further gains by two years, supporting one-year outcomes as sufficient for most patients.

  4. Longer hospital stay but similar one-year mortality and readmission after combined proximal humerus and proximal femur fragility fractures: a Propensity-Score-Matched Cohort Study.

    Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · Sep 16 2026 · PubMed

    Combined proximal humerus and femur fragility fractures required roughly twice the hospital stay of isolated humerus fractures but showed similar one-year mortality and readmission rates, suggesting benefit from shared orthogeriatric pathways.

  5. Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty with a Glenoid-Sided Lateralized Prosthesis and Concomitant Latissimus Dorsi Transfer Is Associated with Early Proximal Humeral Osseous Erosion Without Superior Functional Outcomes.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 10 2026 · PubMed

    Adding latissimus dorsi transfer to lateralized reverse shoulder arthroplasty did not improve external rotation or functional scores over rTSA alone but caused significantly more early proximal humeral bone erosion.

  6. Patient-evaluated functional outcome is systematically different from physician-evaluated outcome after proximal humerus fracture fixation.

    The Bone & Joint Journal · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    After proximal humerus fracture fixation, physician-rated Constant-Murley scores systematically diverged from patient-rated subjective shoulder values, with pain—not motion or strength—driving poor patient-reported outcomes.

  7. Pectoralis major reference technique improves humeral height restoration and tuberosity healing after hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures: A comparative study.

    Injury · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    The pectoralis major reference technique improved tuberosity healing, humeral height restoration, and rotational function compared to conventional technique in hemiarthroplasty for complex proximal humeral fractures.

  8. Expanding the indications of horizontal plate fixation to the proximal humerus: Technical note and clinical series.

    Injury · Aug 26 2026 · PubMed

    A horizontal plate fixation technique for isolated greater tuberosity fractures achieved reliable union and good UCLA shoulder scores in 11 patients.

  9. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty vs. hemiarthroplasty for proximal humerus fracture: in-hospital outcomes in a national trauma registry.

    Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · Aug 14 2026 · PubMed

    In a national trauma registry, reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fracture showed no significant difference in adjusted in-hospital outcomes versus hemiarthroplasty, except higher non-home discharge risk in patients under 65.

  10. Locking Plate Fixation with Cemented Screws versus Delta Xtend Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Complex Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly: A Matched-Pair Comparative Study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 13 2026 · PubMed

    In elderly patients with complex proximal humerus fractures, cement-augmented locking plate fixation gave better rotation than reverse shoulder arthroplasty, with similar overall function, complications, and revision rates.

  11. Proximal Humerus Fractures Treated with Single or Dual-Plate Constructs: A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jul 27 2026 · PubMed

    In 141 proximal humerus fracture ORIF cases, dual-plate constructs had significantly fewer reoperations, varus cutouts, and nonunions than single-plate fixation, especially benefiting high-energy fractures.

  12. Development of Convolutional Neural Networks for Classification and Characterisation of Proximal Humerus Fractures on Computed Tomography.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jul 16 2026 · PubMed

    3D convolutional neural network accurately classified proximal humerus fractures and characterized greater tuberosity displacement and varus malalignment on CT, with performance comparable to surgeons for these key features.

  13. Tuberosity Management in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Feb 01 2026 · Review · PubMed

    This review discusses indications, implant choices, and techniques for tuberosity management during reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures to optimize functional outcomes.

  14. Contemporary Management of Proximal Humeral Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Oct 01 2025 · Review · PubMed

    This review covers current nonsurgical and surgical options—including fixation and reverse shoulder arthroplasty—for managing proximal humerus fractures.

  15. Consensus statement on the treatment of proximal humerus fractures: a Delphi approach by the Neer Circle of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Aug 2025 · Review · PubMed

    A Delphi consensus among ASES shoulder experts found agreement on surgery for certain complex proximal humerus fractures in healthy patients and nonoperative care in sicker patients, but no consensus on rehabilitation protocols or many fracture patterns.

  16. Proximal Humerus Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Feb 15 2025 · Review · PubMed

    Proximal humerus reconstruction in skeletally immature patients requires balancing multiple factors; expandable prostheses and vascularized transfers address unique growth-related challenges.

  17. Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Proximal Humerus Greater and Lesser Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Dec 01 2024 · Review · PubMed

    This review covers evaluation and management of pediatric proximal humerus tuberosity avulsion fractures, noting sparse evidence and unclear treatment guidelines for these rare, easily missed injuries.

  18. Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty to Treat Proximal Humerus Fracture Sequelae: A Review.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Aug 01 2024 · Review · PubMed

    Reviews reverse shoulder arthroplasty as an effective salvage option for painful proximal humerus fracture malunions/nonunions, highlighting outcome classification and technical pearls for tuberosity management.

  19. Technical Tips for Reduction and Stable Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Sep 15 2023 · Review · PubMed

    Technical innovations including fibular strut allograft, calcar screw placement, and systematic reduction improve outcomes in proximal humerus fracture fixation.

  20. International consensus for a core radiological monitoring protocol of proximal humerus fractures.

    Injury · Oct 2022 · Review · PubMed

    An international Delphi consensus among shoulder trauma surgeons established a standardized radiological monitoring protocol—including a redefined 'malreduction' term and recommended imaging views/timing—for tracking proximal humerus fracture healing.

  21. Operative Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fractures with Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients ≥65 Years Old: A Critical Analysis Review.

    JBJS Reviews · May 01 2022 · Review · PubMed

    Reviews evidence supporting reverse total shoulder arthroplasty as an effective option for complex proximal humerus fractures and failed repairs in patients ≥65, though higher-quality data are still needed.

  22. Principles of Locking Plate Fixation of Proximal Humerus Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Jun 01 2021 · Review · PubMed

    This review outlines anatomic and biomechanical principles for locked plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures, emphasizing screw placement and augmentation strategies to prevent fixation failure.

  23. Intramedullary Fixation for Proximal Humeral Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · May 01 2020 · Review · PubMed

    Intramedullary nailing of proximal humeral fractures offers biomechanical and vascular preservation advantages, especially with calcar comminution, with outcomes comparable to plating.

  24. Posttraumatic Avascular Necrosis After Proximal Femur, Proximal Humerus, Talar Neck, and Scaphoid Fractures.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Nov 01 2019 · Review · PubMed

    Posttraumatic avascular necrosis occurs after femoral neck, humeral head, talar neck, and scaphoid fractures; diagnosis timing and treatment depend on specific anatomic location and collapse.

Landmark papers

  1. Displaced Proximal Humeral Fractures

    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) · 1970 · cited 1,921 times

    This classic paper introduces the Neer four-segment classification of displaced proximal humeral fractures based on displacement of the head, tuberosities, and shaft, along with a results-rating scale.

  2. Displaced Proximal Humeral Fractures

    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) · 1970 · cited 1,283 times · PubMed

    In 117 displaced three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures, open reduction was best for three-part fractures while prosthetic replacement was preferred for four-part fractures due to avascular necrosis risk.

  3. Predictors of humeral head ischemia after intracapsular fracture of the proximal humerus

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · 2004 · cited 840 times · PubMed

    Short metaphyseal extension (<8mm calcar), disrupted medial hinge, and specific fracture patterns reliably predict humeral head ischemia after proximal humerus fractures.

  4. Tuberosity malposition and migration: Reasons for poor outcomes after hemiarthroplasty for displaced fractures of the proximal humerus

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · 2002 · cited 707 times · PubMed

    Tuberosity malposition and migration after proximal humerus hemiarthroplasty correlate with unsatisfactory outcomes; improved fixation techniques should enhance predictable results.

  5. The Importance of Medial Support in Locked Plating of Proximal Humerus Fractures

    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma · 2007 · cited 616 times · PubMed

    In locked plating of proximal humerus fractures, medial column support (anatomic reduction, impaction, or an inferomedial screw) significantly reduced loss of reduction and screw penetration compared to fractures lacking such support.

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