Skip to content

Comparing Outcomes of Non-surgical Versus Surgical Treatment of Shoulder Fractures With Different Shoulder Replacements

Outcome Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Acute Proximal Humerus Fractures in Patients 60 Years of Age and Older With Different Inclination Implants Versus Non-surgical Treatment- Trial Protocol: a Prospective RCT, Single Blinded

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06444828
Enrollment
90
Registered
2024-06-06
Start date
2021-09-01
Completion date
2026-09-01
Last updated
2024-12-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Proximal Humeral Fracture, Humeral Head Fracture

Keywords

proximal humerus fracture, Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Brief summary

The optimal treatment of complex shoulder fracture is controversial. In general, non-surgical treatment is recommended for older patients, but results are often unsatisfying. Therefore different surgical approaches have been tried to improve outcomes for this group of patients. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has shown promising results for these types of fractures and changes in the design of the implant might improve outcomes further. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of complex shoulder fractures after non-surgical versus surgical treatment and compare two different types of implants.

Detailed description

The optimal treatment of proximal humeral fracture (PHF) Neer type III and IV AO B1.1,1.2 and C1.1,3.1 is controversial. National guidelines for Denmark have been published in 2015 and updated 2019. They recommend conservative treatment to all kinds of PHF for patients aged above 60 years. Exceptions are fracture-dislocations, headsplits or surgical conditions, where intervention is mandatory like open fractures and impaired nerve- and circulation. Recently reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has gained expanding popularity in treating PHF . Compared with osteosynthesis (ORIF) or hemiarthroplasty (HA) outcomes were superior , . The importance of tuberosity healing for good functional outcomes has lead to development of different implants and fixation techniques. The original RSA design by Grammont with 155 degree inclination of the humeral stem was made for cuff-arthropathy. This design moves the center of rotation in a medial direction, and increase the tension on the tuberosities. In contrast anatomical designed humeral implants with 135 degree enables more anatomical refixation of the tuberosities with less tension and might reduce the risk of resorption or displacement of the fragments. To implant a 155 degree RSA the surgeon has to remove parts of the rotator cuff, to enable the sliding rotation. On the other hand with a 135 degree inclination humeral component, a cuff sparing technique is possible. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of two different designed RSA stems versus conservative treatment of PHF Neer type III or IV / AO B&C.

Interventions

PROCEDURENon-operative

Non-operative treatment versus operative treatment (surgery)

Sponsors

Region of Southern Denmark
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Southern Denmark
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

non information of the type of implant used is given to the patient

Intervention model description

RCT, single blinded

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Displaced Proximal Humeral Fractures (PHF) Neer type III or IV / AO B&C. Radiological confirmed

Exclusion criteria

other types of PHF, Head splits, gleno-humeral dislocations, pathological fractures. Refuse to participate in the study. Non-compliant, drug/alcohol abuse or institutionalized, (Low-cooperative),

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The primary outcome is Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index (WOOS)one years follow up (FU)All participants are assessed with online questionnaire, Patient Related Outcome Measurement (PROM) 0-100% (100% best), validated

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Constant Murley scoreone and two years FUAll participants are assessed with function scores. 0-100% (100% best) by physiotherapist
Subjective shoulder Volume (SSV)one and two years FUAll participants are assessed with online questionnaire PROM 0-100% (100% best)
x-raysone and two years FUstating healing, displacement, resorbtion of the tuberosities

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026