Background: We investigated the superiority of arthroscopy-assisted reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for treating glenoid fracture with scapular involvement. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with glenoid fracture who underwent ARIF or ORIF from 2010–2020. Radiographic outcomes were assessed, and clinical outcomes (active range of motion [ROM], visual analog scale [VAS], Constant, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH]) were evaluated 12 months postoperatively. Results: Forty-four patients with Ideberg type II–VI glenoid fractures (ARIF: 20; ORIF: 24; follow-up 12–22 months) were included. Union was achieved in all patients. Active ROM values were comparable between the approaches. Constant and DASH scores were non-significantly better with ARIF (90.9 ± 9.2 vs. 86.6 ± 18.1 [p = 0.341] and 6.8 ± 9.4 vs. 9.3 ± 21.3 [p = 0.626], respectively). However, VAS scores were significantly lower with ARIF (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4, p = 0.001). Associated intra-articular lesions (articular depressions [80%], superior labral anterior-posterior tear [20%], labral tears [30%]) were found in most ARIF cases and were repaired during ARIF. Conclusions: For glenoid fracture with scapular involvement, ARIF allows accurate diagnosis of fracture pattern and the management of associated intra-articular lesions, with better pain control outcomes than ORIF. Thus, arthroscopy-assistant surgery should be considered in patient with glenoid fracture.

Background: Up to 20% of proximal humeral fractures need to be treated operatively. However, numerus complications were reported by using fixed angled locking plates. The ALPS Proximal Humerus Plating System is a new design implant with novel design features. The aim of this study was to compare the preliminary clinical outcomes and complications of proximal humeral fractures treated with either ALPS or the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) in Asian patients in Taiwan. Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2018, 66 patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures were analyzed retrospectively, of whom 31 underwent ALPS implant treatment and 35 underwent PHILOS implant treatment. Intraoperative blood loss and operation time, postoperative Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome (Constant-Murley) score, and complications variables were recorded for the comparison. All cases were regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Results: The mean follow-up period was 400.8 days (range, 367-446 days). Union was achieved in 98.5% of patients (65/66). The ALPS group yielded similar radiologic and clinical outcomes to the PHILOS plating group for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the Constant-Murley score, and varus malunion (P > 0.05, respectively). However, the incidence of total postoperative complications in the ALPS group was significantly lower than in the PHILOS group (P < 0.05). There was a trend of a lower complication rate of screws/pegs protrusion, avascular necrosis, subacromial impingement, postoperative infection, and reoperation in the ALPS group, although it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The ALPS group yielded similar radiologic and clinical outcomes to the PHILOS plating group for displaced proximal humeral fractures, but the ALPS group had a significantly lower total rate of complications. Therefore, ALPS may be a better option for treating proximal humeral fractures. Further larger clinical studies are needed to confirm the findings presented here.

Antegrade intramedullary (IM) nailing is the gold standard treatment for femoral shaft fractures; however, the non-union rate of infra-isthmal femoral shaft fractures is still high after antegrade IM nailing. This retrospective case–control study aimed to determine the association between perioperative radiographic factors and the non-union of infra-isthmal femoral shaft fractures after antegrade IM nailing. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the radiographic risk factors of non-union. Ninety-three patients were included, with thirty-one non-unions and sixty-two matched controls between 2007 and 2017. All were regularly followed up for 2 years. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a ratio of the unfixed distal segment >32.5% was strongly predictive of postoperative non-union. The risk factors for non-union were AO/OTA type B and C (odds ratio [OR]: 2.20), a smaller ratio of the distal fragment (OR: 4.05), a greater ratio of the unfixed distal segment (OR: 7.16), a higher ratio of IM canal diameter to nail size at the level of fracture (OR: 6.23), and fewer distal locking screws (OR: 2.31). The radiographic risk factors for non-union after antegrade IM nailing for infra-isthmal femoral shaft fractures were unstable fractures, shorter distal fragments, longer unfixed distal fragments, wider IM canal, and fewer distal locking screws. Surgeons must strive to avoid non-union with longer and larger nails and apply more distal locking screws, especially for unstable, wider IM canal, and shorter distal fragment fractures.