60 elderly patients with acute displaced 3-part fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus were randomized to receive either internal fixation with a locking plate or a non-operative treatment. The 2-year results of the study indicated that elderly patients who received internal fixation with a locking plate displayed much better functional outcomes and range of motion in comparison to those who received non-operative treatment. However, the internal fixation with a locking plate had a 14% occurrence of complications and was found to be approximately 30% more expensive than non-operative treatment.