OBJECTIVES: The present study compares results of the treatment of patients with proximal humerus fractures using two different fixation methods: the t plate (group a) for small segments that provides a relative stabilization is compared to the locking screw plate that promotes a rigid fixation. METHODS: eighteen patients were randomly divided into two groups and evaluated prospectively according to clinical aspect, functional score and radiographic parameters of displacement after fixation. RESULTS: using the visual analogue scale - vas, the mean pain at six months of follow-up was 2.1 for group a and 2.2 for group b. the mean range of forward elevation was 140º in group a and 143º in group b. the mean ucla functional scale scores were 30 and 31, respectively. On the radiographic evaluation, the fractures of three patients in group a had between 0 and 10 degrees of displacement after stabilization and six patients had displacement between 11 and 40 degrees; for group b, seven patients had displacement between 0 and 10 degrees and three between 11 and 40 degrees. CONCLUSION: no early or late differences were found between groups in clinical and functional evaluations. in both groups, the prevalence of good results was observed. the reduction of the anatomical neck angles of the proximal humerus was closer to normal in the blocking screw group.
humerus fractures; osteoporosis; fracture fixation, internal; prospective studies; comparative study
