Three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures

Summary

Results from three recent studies were inconsistent with respect to treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. The one randomized controlled trial found no difference in overall functional or clinical outcome between conservative and surgical treatment. Small sample sizes and subsequent lack of power to detect a difference between treatments was problematic in all studies. Selection bias was present in both cohort studies. Larger, randomized studies are needed to further elucidate whether there is a difference between treatments in terms of functional outcome.

Strength of evidence | Average methods score (out of 10)