[Inferior subluxation of humerus after surgery of fractures of proximal humerus].

Posttraumatic inferior subluxation of the humerus can be a possible cause of nerve injury and is therefore an alarming symptom. Etiology and frequency of subluxation after surgery of fractures of proximal humerus in group of 53 patients, including 4 cases of nerve injuries were studied. X-rays performed during treatment of this patients were analyzed. We confirmed high rate (41.5%) of this subluxation in our patients, 4 times more often in comminuted fractures, as result of deltoid atony, impaction of bony fragments and distention of the joint by hematoma. Surgical trauma and heavy cast immobilization were additional factors. We remarked after bone plating subluxation more frequent (62.5-75%) and duration longer than after nailing (13.6-34%). We concluded subluxation is secondary to many factors, needs meticulous evaluation for excluding injury of nerves, and for avoiding surgical trauma and cast immobilization should be minimized.