Calcium Phosphate Cement Augmentation of Proximal Humerus Fractures

Abstract

Proximal humerus fractures are common injuries in the elderly. Although the majority of these injuries may be treated conservatively, those who are treated with surgical fixation pose challenges because of decreased bone mineral density and bone voids encountered from cancellous impaction. Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a bone graft substitute that has recently garnered significant attention in the trauma literature because of its availability, mechanical strength, osteoconductivity, biocompatibility, and ability to custom-fill defects. It has shown excellent results in the augmentation of fractures with subarticular defects in multiple anatomic sites. Although there is limited evidence currently available for CPC augmentation in proximal humerus fractures, what does exist shows promising results. In this article, the authors present a preferred technique for surgical fixation of proximal humerus fractures and augmentation with CPC.