The management of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus is still under debate and the need to evaluate alternative methods has been emphasised. We treated the displaced, unstable 2-part or 3-part fractures by percutaneous pinning or external fixation after closed reduction to reduce the complications of open reduction such as soft tissue contracture, articular stiffness, neurovascular injury and potential non-union.

In this paper, we analysed 8 cases of proximal humeral fractures treated by percutaneous pinning and external fixation from Sep. 1992 to Mar. 1994. The results were excellent ; 3 cases, satisfactory; 3 cases, and unstisfactory; 2 cases but no ftilures by the criteria for evaluation of Neer.

We concluded that percutaneous pinning or external fixation of displaced, unstable 2-part or 3-part fractures is one of the good methods of treatment.