Purpose of the study: Osteosynthesis procedures proposed for fractures of the proximal humerus have evolved greatly since the development of anterograde nailing systems with the objective of providing a conservative surgical solution for sometimes complex fractures. We analyzed retrospectively the results obtained in a consecutive series of 30 patients treated in our unit with a Telegraph® nail.

Material and methods: Between March 2001 and August 2003, 39 patients presenting fractures of the proximal humerus were treated with a Telegraph® nail. Accorrding to the Duparc classification, the fractures were: 17, 11 ST+T, 4 CT II, and 7 CT III. Five patients died before the review presented here. Four CT III fractures presented material disassembly early and required revision with a hemiarthroplasty. For the 30 patients reviewed here, we noted the Constant score and the results of the Matsen test as well as radiographic findings.

Results: Mean follow-up for the 30 patients was 16 months (range 6–33). Mean age at trauma was 58.7 years (range 19–91). The mean Constant score was 57.4 (range 16–84) with 72% after weighting. The Matsen test was positive for 59%. Subjectively, 69% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied. There were several complications: secondary intraoperative shaft fracture treated orthopedically, four nonunions of the surgical neck, four tuberosity migrations, three cases of head necrosis, two subacromial impingements (one with rotator cuff tear). Nonunion was generally observed with static locking and in one case with an oversized nail. We were unable to identify any factor predictive of head necrosis due to the small number of cephalotuberosity fractures. Disassembly was generally observed in patients with an initially displaced fracture with periosteal rupture, osteoporosis and old age.

Discussion and conclusion: Our results are less satisfactory than others published in the literature for series using this material and it is difficult to compare with results for series using other types of material because the study criteria were highly variable. Although all fractures in this series, including the most complex, appear to benefit from this nailing system, we did note that complications were not exceptional even though certain compliations observed were related to our learning curve. Surgeons should be aware that the planned option can be changed intraoperatively. Arthroplasty may be necessary in certain cases if the conditions are not adequate for stable osteosynthesis.