DOES THE PRESENCE OF A FULL THICKNESS ROTATOR CUFF TEAR INFLUENCE OUTCOME FOLLOWING PROXIMAL HUMERAL FRACTURES?
NandaR. ; GoodchildL. ; GambleA. ; RanganA. ; and CampbellR.S.D. Background: Prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with advancing age (Ellman et al). In spite of proximal humeral fractures being common in the elderly, the influence of a coexistent rotator cuff tear on outcome has, to our knowledge, not been previously investigated. Aim: This study assess whether the presence of a rotator cuff tear in association with a proximal humeral fracture influences prognosis. Methods: 85 patients treated conservatively for proximal humeral fractures were evaluated prospectively with Ultrasonography to determine the status of the rotator cuff. Every patient was managed by immobilisation of the arm in a sling for three weeks followed by a course of physiotherapy based on the Neer regime. Functional outcome was measured using the Constant shoulder score and the Oxford shoulder score, at 3-months and 12-months post injury. Results: Sixty-Six of the 85 patients were female. The fractures were eq
