Evidence Based Algorithm to Treat Patients With Proximal Humerus Fractures - A Prospective Study With Early Clinical and Overall Performance Results

Proximal humerus fractures are particularly frequent injuries and represent 6% of all fractures with an overall incidence of 63/100.000 in human. The goal is to assess our institutional evidence based algorithm for treatment of proximal humeral fractures.

Objective(s):

1. Test the algorithm in terms of clinical applicability and clinical outcome
2. Compare general outcome and general complication/revision rate to the literature.

Inclusion / Exclusion criteria: Inclusion: All patients with an acute proximal humeral fracture (not older than 48 hours) admitted to our institution later than 1.1.2014. Exclusion: Multilevel and pathological fractures are excluded.

Terminally ill patients and those not being able, or willing to sing the informed consent.

Project Centre(s): Single-centre.

Statistical Considerations: Standard descriptive statistics will be performed using R-statistics program. Considering the population of 160 patients, we will be able to detect differences in proportions as low as 0.15 with power 82% and alpha = 0.05.

Other methodological Considerations: Terms applicability of a treatment protocol and adhesion to protocol are not well defined for decision making in orthopaedic surgery.