Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39882031›Full record

ArticleOrthopedic reviews2025

Return to work after proximal humeral fractures: a single center study comparing conservative versus operative treatment.

Amber Hameleers, Jasper Most, Martijn Schotanus, Nina Wijnands, Martijn Dremmen, Raoul van Vugt, Bert Boonen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Orthopedic reviews, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Amber HameleersDepartment of Surgery Zuyderland Medical Centre.
Jasper MostDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery Zuyderland Medical Centre.
Martijn SchotanusDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery Zuyderland Medical Centre.
Nina WijnandsUitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV).
Martijn DremmenRehabilitation Medicine Zuyderland Medical Centre.
Raoul van VugtDepartment of Surgery Zuyderland Medical Centre.
Bert BoonenDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery Zuyderland Medical Centre.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Adequate treatment of proximal humeral fractures (PHF) is essential for restoring shoulder function and expediting return-to-work (RTW). This study aims to assess the impact of conservative and operative treatments on RTW and PHF recovery. Objective & Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, 858 patients (aged 18-68) treated for PHF between 2018 and 2021 were included. Questionnaires were sent to 342 operatively treated patients (Operative group (OG)) and 191 conservatively treated matched controls (Conservative group (CG)). Assessments covered RTW, functional outcomes (DASH, ASES), and quality of life (EQ-5D). A Kaplan-Meier analysis explored RTW in weeks. Results: With a 61% response rate, 73 eligible participants (40 OG, 33 CG) contributed. Of respondents, 67.1% were female, and 60% were employed pre-trauma. Almost 70% of employed patients RTW, with no significant difference between groups (log rank, p=0.36). Among those returning to work, OG tended to resume 4 weeks later than CG (OG 10.5, IQR 22 vs. CG 6.00, IQR 8 weeks, p=0.07). DASH, ASES, and quality of life VAS scores showed no statistical difference between groups (p=0.542, p=0.257, p=0.530, respectively). Conclusion: The RTW proportion did not differ between operatively and conservatively treated PHF patients, though the former tended to return 4 weeks later. Functional outcomes demonstrated no significant differences. Further adequately powered studies are necessary to establish a standardized aftercare protocol for PHF, enhancing patient care and minimizing work disability.

Indexed as

permissive weight bearingproximal humeral fracturesquestionnairesreturn to worktreatment

Identifiers

PMID39882031
PMCPMC11779521

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.