Inclusion criteria (proximal humerus) |
• Radiologically confirmed closed fracture (≤ 10 days) of the proximal humerus |
• All dislocated (according to modified Neer*) proximal humerus fractures except dislocated fractures of the greater and lesser tuberosity |
• Primary fracture treatment with a PHILOS plate |
• Age ≥ 50 and ≤ 90 years |
• Normal (pre-trauma) function of both shoulders according to age |
• Monotrauma |
• Willing and able to give written informed consent to participate in the study |
• Willing and able to participate in the study follow-ups according to the study protocol |
• Willing and able to comply with the postoperative management program |
• Able to understand and read country national language at an elementary level |
Exclusion criteria (proximal humerus) |
• Open proximal humerus fracture |
• Concomitant contralateral proximal humerus fracture |
• Previous proximal humerus fracture on either side after the age of 25 |
• Time to operation > 10 days |
• Polytrauma |
• Cuff arthropathy of the contralateral proximal humerus |
• Associated nerve or vessel injury |
• Regular systemic therapy with corticosteroids due to chronic disease |
• Legal incompetence |
• Patient received radio- or chemotherapy prior to, during or within the last year |
• Currently diagnosed with active cancer |
• Recent history of substance abuse (i.e. recreational drugs, alcohol) |
• Prisoner |
• Currently involved in a pharmaceutical clinical study** |
• Has a disease process that would preclude accurate evaluation (e.g. neuromuscular or rheumatic disease, significant psychiatric or metabolic disorders) |