Abstract

[1] Background: Fractures of the proximal humerus, which account for 4% to 5 % of the total fractures, are usually classified as per Neer’s classification. These fractures are treated by modalities from “just a sling” to “open reduction and internal fixation”(ORIF) by locking contoured dedicated plates for the proximal humerus, with results varying from satis- factory to good.
Objective: To propose a minimally invasive technique, of managing fractures of the proximal humerus, which can be done under local anesthesia.
Materials and Methods: Sometimes, patients with the proximal humerus fractures are not fit for general anesthesia. Moreover, the regional block may or may not always work for shoulders; hence, we operated 18 patients and fixed the fractures with the Joshi’s External Stabilization System (JESS) under local anesthesia. Result: Of the 18 patients, all of them tolerated the procedure well except three of them, whom we supplemented with [2] intravenous tramadol as well. While the stability with “K-wires” and “just screws” is questionable, ORIF entails a big [3] exposure and blood loss, along with all other risks of open reduction. Moreover, all these techniques offer a debatable [4] quality of fixation in osteoporotic fractures. Conclusion: To combat the aforesaid issues, external fixation is in popularity for a period more than a decade now. The JESS, happens to be “today’s best option,” which we attempted performing under local anesthesia.