Influence of reestablishing greater tuberosity angle on patient outcomes following greater tuberosity fractures

This study aimed to assess whether higher values of GTA after osteosynthesis of isolated greater tuberosity fractures were associated with worse functional and symptomatic outcomes.

A retrospective analysis was conducted from 2012 to 2024, including all patients with isolated greater tuberosity fractures undergoing osteosynthesis at a single institution. GTA measurements before and after osteosynthesis were recorded, along with the latest QuickDash score and constant shoulder score.

Thirty-four patients were recruited, with 25 undergoing osteosynthesis with cannulated screws and eight with anchors. Twenty-two patients self-administered the QuickDash score and completed the constant shoulder score. The average GTA before surgery was 84.2°, reducing to 62.2° post-surgery. The average constant score was 86.8, and the mean QuickDash score was 7.65. The method of osteosynthesis did not significantly influence GTA or the QuickDash and constant scores. Additionally, post-surgery GTA negatively correlated with the constant score (r = − 0.65, p < 0.01).

Patients with isolated greater tuberosity fractures undergoing osteosynthesis experience a change in GTA after surgery. However, they achieved satisfactory symptomatic and functional scores post-surgery. The method of osteosynthesis did not significantly influence the GTA or the QuickDash and constant scores. Furthermore, post-surgery GTA negatively correlated with the constant score.