Abstract: Objective To compare the clinical effects of locking proximal humeral plate(LPHP) and normal plate for the treatment of C2 type proximal humeral fractures in patients with different age.Methods Since January 2004 to June 2009,152 patients with C2 type proximal humeral fractures were divided into three age groups: youth(<30),middle-aged(30~60) and old(>60).Each age group was randomly divided into two groups: 77 cases in group A were treated by LPHP and 75 cases in group B were treated by normal plate.Fracture healing rate and Neer score were assessed to compare the clinical effects in different age groups of each group.Results All the patients were followed up for 18 to 24 months.There was no statistical difference in fracture healing rate between group A and group B in youth and middle-aged age groups(P>0.05),while in old age group,the fracture healing rate of group A(97.1%) was significantly higher than group B(81.8%)(P<0.05).According to Neer criteria,there was no statistical difference in Neer score between two groups in youth age group(P>0.05),but group A had clearly higher scores than group B in other two age groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared to normal plate,LPHP is much safer and more effective in the treatment of middle and old aged patients with C2 type proximal humeral fractures.

Key words: Locking proximal humeral plate, Proximal humeral, Age, Relationship