BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT article
Front. Surg.
Sec. Orthopedic Surgery
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1606898
This article is part of the Research TopicNew Advances in Prosthetic Surgery of Large JointsView all 6 articles
Comparison of the Efficacy of Philos Plate and Multiloc Intramedullary Nail in the Treatment of Complex Proximal Humeral Fractures with Osteoporosis in the Elderly
Provisionally accepted
- 1Department of Orthopedic, Qilu Hospital Dezhou Hospital of Shandong University Dezhou Hospital, Dezhou, China
- 2Department of endocrinology, Qilu Hospital Dezhou Hospital of Shandong University Dezhou Hospital,, Dezhou, China
- 3Health management center, Qilu Hospital Dezhou Hospital of Shandong University Dezhou Hospital,, Dezhou, China
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Introduction: Proximal humeral fractures are common in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Complex three-or four-part fractures often require surgical intervention. Philos locking plates and Multiloc intramedullary nails are widely used, but their comparative effectiveness in osteoporotic elderly patients remains uncertain. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 90 elderly patients (aged 70-95 years) with Neer three-or four-part proximal humeral fractures treated between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients received either Philos plate fixation (n = 50) or Multiloc intramedullary nail fixation (n = 40). Clinical data included incision length, operative time, blood loss, complications, and functional outcomes. Pain was assessed via VAS, and shoulder function via Constant-Murley scores at 1 week, 1 month, and 12 months postoperatively.Results: Both groups achieved fracture healing and functional improvement. Compared to the Philos group, the Multiloc group had shorter incisions, less blood loss, and shorter operative time (all P < 0.05). VAS scores were lower and Constant-Murley scores higher in the Multiloc group at all time points (P < 0.05). Complication rates were lower in the Multiloc group (10% vs. 20%).Discussion: Both techniques are effective, but Multiloc intramedullary nail fixation offers superior early outcomes and fewer complications. It may be preferable for elderly patients with osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures when proper surgical technique is ensured.
Keywords: Proximal humerus fracture, PHILOS plate, MultiLoc nail, osteoporosis, functional recovery, limb, fluoroscopy Proximal humeral fracture, elderly patients, Osteoporosis, PHILOS plate, Multiloc intramedullary nail, Shoulder function, surgical outcomes
Received: 06 Apr 2025; Accepted: 02 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Liu, Cao, Liu, Liu and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Wenbo Zhang, Department of Orthopedic, Qilu Hospital Dezhou Hospital of Shandong University Dezhou Hospital, Dezhou, China
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