Effect of Deltoid Tuberosity Index on the Outcome of Proximal Humeral Fracture Treated with a Locking Plate

Background: In the elderly, proximal humerus fractures are not unusual. The treatment of these injuries are often complicated.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of deltoid tuberosity index on the outcome of proximal humeral fractures treated with a locking plate.Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus had open-reduction and internal fixation using a locking plate. The patients were divided into two main groups (low density group) DTI<۱.۴ and DTI>۱.۴ (normal density group) and at the end of the study, treatment and failure were assessed in the two groups.Results: In this study, ۱۰۰ patients with proximal humeral fracture who were candidates for locking plating surgery were evaluated. The mean of DTI in all patients was ۱.۴۸ with a minimum of ۱.۱۰ and a maximum of ۲.۲۰. Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, with increasing age, the constant score decreased in the studied patients, which was statistically significant (r=-۰.۲۱۶, p-value = ۰.۰۳۱). Also, in patients with DTI less than ۱.۴ and more than ۱.۴, the Constant score was ۷۳.۰۲ and ۷۷.۸۸, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (p-value=۰.۰۵۴). There was a statistically significant relationship between Constant Score, DTI and patients' gender (p-value≤۰.۰۵). While there was no statistically significant relationship between fracture type and constant score. Pearson correlation coefficient between DTI and age of patients was -۰.۳۰, which decreased with increasing age of patients. This was statistically significant (r=-۰.۳۰, p-value=۰.۰۰۳).Conclusion: The results of this study show that the deltoid tuberosity index can be effective on proximal humoral fracture surgery treated with locking plating.

Keywords:

Deltoid Tuberosity Index , Proximal Humerus Fractures , constant score