A recently published study in the journal 'Musculoskeletal Surgery' described that the carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) plates provide a viable substitute to conventional titanium plates in proximal humeral fractures (PHFs). It further ensures similar clinical outcomes and a lower rate of tuberosity resorption, although they require higher stress shielding under the plate.

The metal plates are the fixation devices commonly used for PHFs. But, recently the use of CFR-PEEK plates are on the rise. This is used as a material for orthopaedic implants, for instance in spinal cages, hip prostheses, or intramedullary nails.

Padolino A et al. undertook a retrospective controlled study to distinguish between the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 42 Neer three- and four-part PHFs treated with CFR-PEEK or metal (titanium) plates.

Out of the total 42 PHF patients, 21 patients (males/females 9/12 with mean age of 57.4 years) were managed with CFR-PEEK plates (mean follow-up 30.7 months; CFR-PEEK group) and 21 with metal plates (males/females 7/14 with a mean age 55.8 years; mean follow-up 52.7 months; Metal group). Active shoulder mobility including anterior elevation, lateral elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation, the Constant-Murley Score, the Simple Shoulder Test Score, and the pain score were noted. The preoperative computed tomography scans and X-rays were acquired. The postoperative fracture healing and displacement, tuberosity resorption and/or malposition, hardware position, and cortical thinning (CT) under the plate were examined radiographically.

This study resulted in similar shoulder mobility, clinical, and pain scores in both patient groups. With the mean difference of 1.14 mm, the cortical thinning was significantly prominent in CFR-PEEK patients. In both groups, the incomplete or poor calcar reduction was found to be associated with a substantially higher complication rate, especially stiffness and muscle weakness. The rate of tuberosity resorption was significantly higher in the Metal group. Revision to a hemiarthroplasty (CFR-PEEK) and reverse arthroplasty was needed in 2 patients in the metal group.