Original Article- Does Proximal Humeral Nailing or Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System Plating Better for Proximal Humeral Fractures?
Background: Proximal humeral nailing (PHN) and proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) plate fixation for
the proximal humeral fractures offer good anatomic fracture reduction and stable primary fixation to ensure rapid fracture
healing and immediate post-operative functional therapy without prolonged immobilization. We aimed to assess the
fracture union and the functional outcome of proximal humerus fractures using proximal humeral nail and PHILOS plate.
Materials and Methods: A comparative prospective study was conducted from October 2016 to October 2019 with 53
consecutively reported proximal humeral fractures with 26 cases for PHN group and 27 cases for PHILOS group. The follow-up
period was 24 months. Results: According to Neer’s criteria, out of 26 cases in the PHN group, seven cases (26.9%) had
excellent, 12 cases (46.1%) had satisfactory, five case (19.2%) had unsatisfactory, and two cases (7.6%) had failure outcome,
whereas out of 27 cases in the PHILOS group, six cases (22.2%) had excellent, 17 cases (62.9%) had satisfactory, two cases
(7.4%) had unsatisfactory, and two cases (7.4%) had failure outcome. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between
the two groups. Conclusion: Both the treatment options are effective in treating the proximal fractures and there was no
significant difference between functional outcome between the two groups at 2 years follow-up.