Influence of patient-related factors and surgeon experience on functional outcomes in conservatively treated proximal humerus fractures: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE: Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common in the elderly population, but the optimal treatment strategy remains controversial. This study evaluated the long-term functional outcomes of non-surgically treated PHFs and assessed whether retrospective treatment recommendations made by experienced shoulder surgeons were associated with differences in clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 150 PHFs in 149 patients treated nonoperatively between 2020 and 2021. Two-, three-, and four-part fractures with a minimum 12-month follow-up were analyzed. Outcome measures included QuickDASH, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and SF-12. Demographic characteristics and radiographic fracture features were analyzed. In a second phase, five shoulder surgeons independently reviewed anonymized cases and retrospectively recommended surgical or conservative treatment while blinded to patient outcomes. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 32.1 months, younger age, absence of comorbidities, better pre-injury physical status, and dominant limb involvement were independently associated with superior outcomes, whereas the number of fracture fragments did not. Displaced fractures showed worse outcomes than non-displaced fractures. However, among displaced fractures, no significant differences in SSV, OSS, QuickDASH, or SF-12 scores were found between fractures retrospectively considered surgical candidates and those deemed suitable for conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: Functional recovery following conservative treatment of PHFs appears to be influenced more by patient-related factors than by fracture morphology or surgeon experience. These findings suggest that carefully selected patients with displaced PHFs can achieve satisfactory outcomes with nonoperative treatment. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: IV.