Proximal humeral fractures. Early versus delayed motion in nonoperative treatment of minimally displaced or impacted fractures

Summary

The evidence describing early versus delayed motion for minimally displaced fractures of the proximal humerus suggests that for the first 3 – 4 months of follow-up, early motion of the shoulder tended to confer greater overall shoulder function, less pain and greater range of motion than delayed motion. However, at later follow-up, there was no statistical difference in outcomes between early and delayed motion. In one study with 2 year follow-up, one third of the patients in either group reported significant shoulder disability as measured by the Croft shoulder disability questionnaire.