The Treatment of One-Part Fractures of the Greater Thberosity of the Proximal Humerus

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity that had been treated either by a conservative treatment or an operative approach. Materials and Method: Eighteen shoulders in 18 patients who had an one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus were managed, and the average follow-up period was 4 years and 10 months (range, 1 year to 8 years 6 months). Results: According to Neer's criteria for evaluation of results, in the group of 13 patients managed nonoperatively, the results were good or excellent in ten patients, fair in one, and poor in two. In the group managed operatively, the results were excellent in all five patients. Conclusion: If the displacement of the fragment is more than 5mm in young active patients, and more than 3mm especially in athletes and heavy laborers involved in overhead activity, the fragment should be mobilized, repaired and fixed into its original bed or a little bit inferolaterally with multiple heavy non-absorbable sutures, tension band technique, or cancellous screws and washers. We would suggest that the patients showing one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus should be evaluated individually.