PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURE ORIF
Restore Alignment.
Preserve Function.
Open reduction internal fixation stabilizes selected proximal humerus fractures using plates, screws, and modern fixation strategies designed to preserve shoulder anatomy and function.
Plate & Screw Stabilization
Fracture Union
Minimize Stiffness
Restore Shoulder Use
What Is A Proximal Humerus Fracture?
A proximal humerus fracture is a break involving the upper part of the arm bone near the shoulder joint. These injuries range from minimally displaced fractures that heal without surgery to complex fractures requiring fixation or shoulder replacement.
What Determines Treatment?
- Amount of displacement
- Bone quality
- Fracture stability
- Joint involvement
- Rotator cuff integrity
- Patient age and activity level
Goals Of Treatment
- Restore alignment
- Protect the joint surface
- Preserve rotator cuff attachments
- Allow fracture healing
- Minimize stiffness
- Restore long-term function
What Happens During Surgery?
During ORIF, fracture fragments are carefully reduced into improved alignment and stabilized with a plate-and-screw construct. Modern fixation may also use sutures to improve tuberosity control and protect rotator cuff attachments.
Fixation Strategies
- Locking plate fixation
- Suture augmentation
- Tuberosity stabilization
- Restoration of humeral head alignment
- Protection of shoulder biology
Why Precision Matters
- Improves fracture alignment
- Supports healing
- Reduces risk of malunion
- Protects shoulder mechanics
- Improves the chance of functional recovery
Technique Animation
This animation demonstrates fixation principles for proximal humerus fractures using plate-based fixation and suture augmentation strategies.
Recovery After Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF
Recovery depends on fracture severity, fixation stability, bone quality, rotator cuff involvement, and patient health. Rehabilitation must balance fracture protection with early motion to reduce stiffness.
Protection
Early sling use protects the fracture and fixation while pain improves.
Motion
Shoulder motion is restored gradually to reduce stiffness.
Healing
X-rays monitor fracture healing and fixation stability.
Strength
Strengthening begins after healing has progressed sufficiently.
ORIF Versus Shoulder Replacement
Not every proximal humerus fracture is best treated with fixation. In some patients, especially with severe comminution, poor bone quality, fracture-dislocation, head-splitting injury, or non-reconstructable anatomy, reverse shoulder replacement may provide a more reliable outcome.
- Fracture pattern
- Bone quality
- Tuberosity integrity
- Likelihood of healing
- Risk of avascular necrosis
- Patient goals and activity level