Management of Proximal Humerus Fractures by JESS

Background and Aims: Upper end of humerus fractures fare poorly with non-operative treatment and they are better treated with surgical intervention, but results vary. We decided to assess the outcomes with Joshi’s External Stabilization System (JESS) in regard to the stabilization of fracture fragments, stability leaving the joint free for mobilization. Methods: A total of 20 cases were enrolled in the study and treated with closed reduction-internal fixation (CRIF) with JESS. Neer’s criteria was used to analyze all the cases. Results: Among these patients with 2-part fractures, five had excellent results and one showed satisfactory result. In patients with 3-part fractures, four had excellent results and two demonstrated satisfactory results. With 4-part fractures, excellent results were found in four cases and two with satisfactory results. In patients with split head fracture of humerus, excellent results were found in one case and another one showed satisfactory result. Conclusions: CRIF with JESS is a simple, good, effective, economic, less time-consuming procedure and can be easily performed by any Orthopaedic Surgeon. The technique developed by Joshi gives good anatomical reduction with stable fixation and good functional results.