How Many Proximal Screws Are Needed for a Stable Proximal Humerus Fracture Fixation?

Purpose: This biomechanical study investigates the optimal number of proximal screws for stable fixation of a 2-part proximal humerus fracture model with a locking plate.

Methods: Twenty-four proximal humerus fracture models were included in the study. An unstable 2-part fracture was created and fixed by a locking plate. Cyclic loading and load-to-failure tests were used for the following 4 groups based on the number of screws used: 4-screw, 6-screw, 7-screw, and 9-screw groups. Interfragmentary gaps were measured following cyclic loading and compared. Consequently, the load to failure, maximum displacement, stiffness, and mode of failure at failure point were compared.

Results: The interfragmentary gaps for the 4-screw, 6-screw, 7-screw, and 9-screw groups were significantly reduced by 0.24 ± 0.09 mm, 0.08 ± 0.06 mm, 0.05 ± 0.01 mm, and 0.03 ± 0.01 mm following 1000 cyclic loading, respectively. The loads to failure were significantly different between the groups with the 7-screw group showing the highest load to failure. The stiffness of the 7-screw group was superior compared with the 6-screw, 9-screw, and 4-screw groups. The maximum displacement before failure showed a significant difference between the comparative groups with the 4-screw group having the lowest value. The 7-screw group had the least structural failure rate (33.3%).

Conclusion: At least 7 screws would be optimal for proximal fragment fixation of proximal humerus fractures with medial comminution to minimize secondary varus collapse or fixation failure.

Level Of Evidence: Basic science study.