Locking intramedullary nails compared with locking plates for two- and three-part proximal humeral surgical neck fractures: a randomized controlled trial

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

72 patients with proximal humeral fracture were randomized to undergo surgical treatment via fixation with either intramedullary nails or interlocking plates for the purpose of comparing clinical outcomes throughout a 12-month follow-up period. Outcomes of interest included shoulder pain, function, shoulder passive range of motion, radiographic analysis, requirement of re-operation, and incidence of complications. Results demonstrated that the majority of clinical outcomes of interest (including pain, function, range of motion, neck-shaft angle) were comparable between study groups at 3, 6 and 12 months. However, internal rotation at 6 months, number of complications, and number of reoperations were significantly higher in the nail group when compared to the plate group.