Sign in Subscribe
Medical research

Proximal Humerus Fractures Show Poor Outcome with Glenohumeral Dislocation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Patients who undergo surgical treatment for proximal humerus fractures and also suffer from glenohumeral dislocations tend to have poorer outcomes, according to a new study. The research, which was conducted at New York University (NYU) Langone Health, evaluated the effects of glenohumeral dislocations on outcomes following surgical treatment of proximal humerus fractures in 301 patients. The study found significant differences between patients with and without glenohumeral dislocations in terms of disability, shoulder range of motion, readmission rates, complications, and need for revision surgery.

Key Takeaways:

  • 301 patients underwent operative treatment for proximal humerus fractures at an academic medical center from January 2006 to January 2023.
  • Patients were separated into two cohorts based on whether a glenohumeral dislocation was present at the time of initial injury.
  • Significant differences were observed between the glenohumeral dislocation (FD) and proximal humerus fracture (PHF) groups in all measured outcomes.
  • The FD group had a poorer Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score (24.38 ± 19.09 vs 10.54 ± 13.67; P < 0.001).
  • The FD group also had poorer shoulder range of motion, higher readmission rates, and increased complications compared to the PHF group.

Statistics:

  • 230 patients sustained an isolated fracture (PHF).
  • 71 patients sustained a fracture-dislocation (FD).
  • The FD group had a poorer DASH score (24.38 ± 19.09 vs 10.54 ± 13.67; P < 0.001).
  • The FD group had poorer shoulder range of motion compared to the PHF group in forward elevation (FD: 99.11° ± 27.23° vs PHF: 114.56° ± 19.39°; P < 0.001), external rotation (FD: 49.17° ± 14.75° vs PHF: 62.14° ± 13.59°; P < 0.001), and internal rotation (FD: 35.24° ± 12.84° vs PHF: 45.07° ± 11.71°; P < 0.001).
  • 57.7% of patients in the FD group required revision surgery, compared to 25.6% in the PHF group.

Sources:

  • Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Fracture-Dislocation of the Proximal Humerus: A Marker of Poor Outcome. 2025.
  • Mosby-elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-shoulder-and-elbow-surgery/)
  • NewsRx. Research from New York University (NYU) Langone Health Reveals New Findings on Science (Fracture-Dislocation of the Proximal Humerus: A Marker of Poor Outcome). Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. November 2, 2025; p 1548.

Read more