The Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fracture Using Internal Fixation with Fixed-angle Plates

76 patients with proximal humerus fractures undergoing an open reduction and internal fixation procedure were randomized to receive a fixed-angle plate made of either carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) or titanium. The primary outcome of interest was the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes of interest included the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and the humeral head-shaft angle. Follow up was performed at 2-4 days (for shaft angle only), 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months post-operation. Results revealed no significant differences in all outcomes at all time points between the CFR-PEEK and titanium groups.