The management of proximal humeral fractures
is still controversial and no single treatment has been
unanimously accepted. This paper focuses on displaced
two-part fractures to describe the minimally invasive fixation
device known as Helix Wire and to propose precise
indications for its use, partly on the basis of our previous
study of its mechanical properties. Thirty patients with
nondisplaced and displaced humeral neck fractures were
treated with implantation of a Helix Wire between
January 2005 and September 2005. Clinical and radiographic
follow-up was carried out at 1, 2, 6 and 12
months. Clinical and functional assessment was performed
using the Constant-Murley score. The results at 1
year after surgery were excellent in 7 cases (23.3%), good
in 14 cases (46.6%), fair in 8 cases (26.6%) and poor in 1
case (3.3%). On the basis of our precise indications, elderly
patients with nondisplaced or displaced two-part
fractures of the proximal humerus may achieve good
results with minimally invasive implantation of the Helix
Wire.
