Comparison of Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments for Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The proximal humerus fracture (PHF) is one of the most common fractures of the upper limbs. PHF is more common in older people, usually following a fall, whereas in younger people this form of fracture is typically caused by high-energy trauma. There are several treatment options for PHFs, including surgical and non-surgical procedures. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatment methods in Iranian patients with PHFs. Methods: Sixty patients with PHFs participated in this single-center cross-sectional study. Medical records were reviewed and evaluated according to demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, type of treatment, complications, need for reintervention, and Constant score. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.65 years. Among those older than 50 years, women significantly outnumbered men (66.7%, P = 0.009). Thirty-one patients received surgical treatment, while 29 patients received non surgical care. The Constant scores of patients who underwent surgery were considerably higher than those of non-surgical patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD): 80.41 ± 1.89 versus 69.82 ± 1.82, P = 0.009]. This significant relationship was observed only in the age group of 18 to 49 years. Conclusion: Overall, the complications arising from both surgical and nonsurgical treatments were not statistically significant; however, patients under the age of 50 and men had higher Constant scores, indicating better clinical outcomes.