A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN DISPLACED PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURES TREATED WITH PROXIMAL HUMERUS LOCKING PLATE.

Background: To assess the functional outcome of PHILOS (proximal humerus internal locking system) plating in proximal humerus fractures. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five displaced fractures of proximal humerus (in twenty-five patients) treated with PHILOS(proximal humerus locking system) plate between MAY 2021 and APRIAL 2023. The study was conducted in department of Orthopedics & Traumatology Government General hospital, Rangaraya Medial College Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. Patients between 18 to 49 yrs age with proximal humerus fractures. Results: The present study was done to evaluate functional out come and complication following surgical management of proximal humerus fracture by locking compression plate. (PHILOS PLATE). In PHILOS (proximal humerus internal locking system system) system of the threaded heads of the screws in the plate itself provides for a construct with angular and axial stability, eliminating the possibility of screw toggling or sliding of the screws in the plate holes. Coupled with a divergent or convergent screw orientation to head of humerus provide improved resistance to pull out and failure of fixation. Also, whereas conventional plating systems depend on compression between the plate undersurface and bone for stability, this is not the case for the locking plates. This lessens the chance of stripping the thread in osteoporotic bone, as the plate/bone interface is not loaded along the screw axis. This also allows for a more biological fixation as the underlying periosteum and blood supply to the fractured regions are much less compressed. Conclusion: In conclusion proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) is mechanically and biologically an advantageous implant in proximal humeral fractures particularly in comminuted fractures and in osteoporotic bones in elderly patients, thus allowing early mobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]