Timing of shoulder arthroplasty in comminuted proximal humerus fracture, how much does it matter?

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty is a salvage treatment for comminuted fracture of the humerus especially in elderly patients. Several factors contribute to the final outcome like bone quality and tuberosity reposition. Timing of the surgery is considered one of these factors. This study was done to assess the effect of delaying the surgery up to 2 weeks on the final outcome. This retrospective study was done on 33 patients with four-part fracture of the humerus, divided into two groups, group 1 (17 patients) who had surgery within the first 3 days after trauma, and group 2 (16 patients) who had surgery within the second week after injury. Operations were done by the same surgeon, same technique, and same implant. Constant score was used to assess the final follow-up, and there was a significant better result for group one especially in the items of range of movements and power. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.