Classifications in Brief: The Neer Classification for Proximal Humerus Fractures (original) (raw)

Interobserver agreement of Neer and AO classifications for proximal humeral fractures

ANZ journal of surgery, 2016

The classification of proximal humeral fractures remains challenging. The two main classification systems used, the Neer and the AO classification, have both been shown to have less than ideal interobserver agreement. Agreement in classification is required, however, to guide fracture management. Data from the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry were collected and the X-rays of 104 proximal humeral fractures were reviewed by three orthopaedic consultants. They classified the fractures according to the Neer and AO classifications, as well as their simplified versions. Interobserver agreement was then assessed using kappa statistics. Interobserver agreement was better overall in the Neer classification, which was moderate (kappa = 0.40-0.58), than the AO classification, which was fair to moderate (kappa = 0.31-0.54). When simplified, the Neer and AO classification interobserver agreement remained similar. The classification of proximal humeral fractures with both the Neer a...

Neer classification for proximal humeral fractures

2015

EDWARD I. SUCOFF joined the Northeustern Fovest Experiment Strstion in 1956 after receiving B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Unir~ersity of Michigun. In 1960 he rereitled a Ph.D. degree from the University of Maryland. He recently left the Norlheastern Station / O join the ~i a f f of the School of Forestry, University of Mintze~ota, St. PauI I , Minn. lThis paper is based in part on investigations for a Ph.D. dissertation by the author at the

Reproducibility of three classifications of proximal humeral fractures

Einstein (São Paulo), 2012

Objective: To propose a new system for classifying proximal humeral neck fractures, and to evaluate intra-and interobserver agreement using the Neer system that is the most commonly used in the area and the Arbeit Gemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen system created by an European group, and a new classification system proposed by the authors of this study. Methods: A total of 56 patients with proximal humeral fractures were selected, and submitted to digitized simple radiography in antero-posterior shoulder and scapular profile. Radiographs were analyzed by three observers at time one, and then three and six weeks later. The kappa coefficient modified by Fleiss was used for the analysis. Results: The mean intra-observer Kappa agreement index (k=0.687) of the new classification, was higher than both the Neer classification (k=0.362) and the Arbeit Gemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (k=0.46). The mean interobserver Kappa agreement index (0.446) of the new classification, also had better results than both the Neer classification (k=0.063) and the Arbeit Gemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (k=0.028). Conclusion: the new classification considering bone compression had higher results for intra-and interobserver compared to the Neer system, and the Arbeit Gemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen system.

Proximal Humerus Fractures: Reliability of Neer Versus AO Classification on Plain Radiographs and Computed Tomography

Cureus, 2020

Introduction: Several classifications for proximal humeral fractures exist, with excellent reliability and reproducibility of such classifications being a desirable feature. Despite their widespread use, these systems are variable in both reliability and accuracy. We aimed to, a) assess and compare the reliability of the Neer (complete and abbreviated versions) and Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragenbeing (AO) classifications, and b) identify if computed tomography (CT) made any difference to the reliability of Neer and AO classifications when compared to plain radiographs alone. Materials and methods: This is a single-centre retrospective study identifying all proximal humeral fractures presenting between February 2016 and February 2017 as a result of trauma that subsequently proceeded to CT. Two specialty orthopaedic trainees analysed the plain radiographs as well as CT images over two rounds, spaced two weeks apart. The Neer 16-grade, abbreviated Neer 6-grade and AO classifications were used. Intra-and inter-observer reliability of each classification system was assessed using the Kappa coefficient. Results: Twenty-two patients were included. The mean age was 62 years (SD 14.5). Management changed in 9/22 patients based on CT. Computed tomography changed Neer-16 type in 16% observations, Neer-6 in 10%, and AO in 23%. This was significant when comparing Neer-6 and AO classifications (p = 0.04). Neer-6 had the best inter-observer reliability (0.737) with the management of one patient changing after CT. On X-ray and CT, intra-observer agreement was substantial, >0.7, using Neer-16 and Neer-6 (p<0.005). Inter-observer agreement for Neer-16 and Neer-6 was substantial, >0.7 (p<0.005). In comparison, intra-and interobserver agreements for AO were lower on X-ray and CT, 0.4-0.6, (p<0.005). Conclusion: Our study shows that simplicity is key with a high degree of reliability in the abbreviated Neer classification. Computed tomography allowed greater reliability than radiographs in classifying fractures, affecting management decisions in 41% of patients. The comprehensive Neer classification showed similar intra-and inter-observer reliabilities to AO.

Comparison between two classifications of humeral head fractures: Neer and AO-ASIF

Acta orthopaedica Belgica, 2011

Our purpose was to verify if the Neer and AO-ASIF classifications for fractures of the proximal humerus satisfy the requisites of simplicity and reproducibility and if the parameters that they consider to establish the severity of the fracture are similar. Two of the authors classified the proximal humeral fractures of 227 patients based on plain radiographs, and they repeated the classification five years later. The reliability, reproducibility and coherence of the classifications were investigated. Inter-observer reliability was K = 0.77 (Neer) and K = 0.65 (AO-ASIF) while intra-observer reproducibility was K = 0.68 (examiner I) and K = 0.63 (examiner II). In 1/5 of the cases, disagreement led to a different classification of the same fracture. Furthermore, neither classification establishes a linear scale of gravity able to provide an indication for treatment. The Neer and AO-ASIF classifications have a low reproducibility and reliability when fractures, especially those with 3 o...

Intra- and Inter-Observer Agreement of Proximal Humeral Fractures Classifications in Adults

Acta Ortopédica Brasileira

Objective: Evaluating intra- and inter-observer agreement of the Neer, AO, and AO/OTA proximal humerus fractures classification systems in adults. Methods: In total, 100 X-rays of patients with proximal humerus fractures were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria established in this study. They were evaluated by four evaluators with different levels of expertise. The evaluation was performed at two distinct moments, with an interval of 21 days between each analysis. Images were randomized for the second evaluation by a researcher who did not participate in the image selection process. A Fleiss Kappa test was performed to evaluate intra- and inter-observer agreement. Results: We observed a substantial agreement with k = 0.669, k = 0.715, and k = 0.780 for the Neer, AO, and AO/OTA classification systems, respectively. Conclusion: In the second evaluation, intra-observer agreement improved. In the first evaluation, we obtained values of k = 0.724, k = 0.490, and k ...

The reliability and reproducibility of the Hertel classification for comminuted proximal humeral fractures compared with the Neer classification

Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, 2016

The Neer classification is the most commonly used fracture classification system for proximal humeral fractures. Inter- and intra-observer agreement is limited, especially for comminuted fractures. A possibly more straightforward and reliable classification system is the Hertel classification. The aim of this study was to compare the inter- and intra-observer variability of the Hertel with the Neer classification in comminuted proximal humeral fractures. Four observers evaluated blinded radiographic images (X-rays, CT-scans, and CT-scans with 3D-reconstructions) of 60 patients. After at least two months classification was repeated. Inter-observer agreement on plain X-rays was fair for both Hertel (κ = 0.39; 95% CI 0.23-0.62) and Neer (κ = 0.29; 0.09-0.42). Inter-observer agreement on CT-scans was substantial (κ = 0.63; 0.56-0.72) for Hertel and moderate for Neer (κ = 0.51; 0.29-0.68). Inter-observer agreement on 3D-reconstructions was moderate for both Hertel (κ = 0.60; 0.53-0.72) a...

Understanding proximal humerus fractures: Image analysis, classification, and treatment

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2005

Proximal humerus fractures are difficult to define because of their extreme variability and potential for complexity. We designed a study to evaluate further why this is true. Radiographs of 113 proximal humeral fractures were assessed by 3 knowledgeable observers. The observers were asked to answer independently 9 questions about the fracture, to classify the fracture according to the Neer classification, and to recommend treatment. Two months later, a learning session was held to discuss discrepancies among the observers and to develop learning points to improve analysis of the images. Two months later, the radiographs were reassessed. Developing 10 learning points enhanced the ability to interpret images at the second review and provide more consistent fracture classification with statistically significant improvements. The problem is understanding the images of complex fractures-not the classification system. To enhance consistency in understanding these fractures, imaging of complex fractures must be enhanced.