Abstract
Bony anatomy and rotator cuff (RC) integrity are fundamental for a proper shoulder function, which is often impaired after humeral head fracture. In the last decades functional outcome after proximal humeral fractures was mainly brought in line with restoration of the bony anatomy. Little attention was paid to already preoperative existing or due to trauma developed rotator cuff lesion. As current studies on conservative and surgical treatment show a significant correlation between rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and poor clinical outcome, these pathologies should be considered carefully before final treatment decision regarding proximal humerus fractures [1–3]. Furthermore the option of anatomic or reverse arthroplasty for complex fractures of the proximal humerus in the elderly patients requires detailed information about the status of the RC [4, 5]. The following chapter accordingly focuses on preoperative diagnostics and considerations regarding pre-existing and concomitant RCTs in case of proximal humeral fractures to allow for an individual treatment decision for satisfying clinical results:
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Buchmann, S. (2015). Cuff Disorders. In: Biberthaler, P., Kirchhoff, C., Waddell, J. (eds) Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Strategies in Fracture Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_11
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