A proximal humerus (shoulder) fracture is a fracture (broken bone) of the shoulder at the ball
(humeral head). This may be a complete or incomplete break. A fracture of the proximal
humerus may involve the anatomic neck, surgical neck or one or both of the attachments
(tuberosity) of the rotator cuff muscles. Severe fractures, fractures that are displaced (not in
appropriate alignment) require surgery to restore and maintain the bone fragments in normal
position

Numerous devices of fixation for displaced proximal humerus fractures have been described. The most common devices include plate fixation, fixed-angle plate fixation, antegrade intramedullary fixation, tension band wiring, percutaneous fixation, and external fixation. We believe that a more optimal device potentially remains to be discovered. Through evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of these previously described devices, we attempted to design a novel device and technique. Our efforts resulted in a percutaneously applied, low profile, fixed-angle plate with means to secure tuberosity fragments with tension band suture.

Published in the Journal Shoulder Elbow Surgery, Vol. 12, Number 6, November/December 2003, pp 578-588