2. Surgical versus non‐surgical treatment trials: brief characteristics.

Study	Participants (Neer classification)	Surgery	Non‐surgical (starting with)	Follow‐up
Boons 2012	50 participants (94% female, mean age 78 years) with 4‐part fractures (The Netherlands)	Humeral head replacement with the Global prostheses; cemented	Sling immobilisation	1 year
Fjalestad 2010a	50 participants (88% female, mean age 73 years) with 3‐ or 4‐part fractures (Norway)	Open reduction and fixation with an interlocking plate device and metal cerclages	Immobilisation of the injured arm in a modified Velpeau bandage. Closed reduction in 8 participants	2 years
Kristiansen 1988	30 participants (71% female, age range 30 to 91 years) with 31 2‐, 3‐ or 4‐part fractures. Included 7 2‐part, 19 3‐part and 5 4‐part fractures (Denmark)	Percutaneous reduction and external fixation	Closed manipulation and sling immobilisation	2 years
Launonen 2019a	88 participants (91% female, mean age 72.5 years) with 2‐part surgical neck fractures (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Sweden)	Open reduction and fixation with a PHILOS plate; preliminary reduction with sutures	Collar and cuff or sling support	2 years
Lopiz 2019	62 participants (of 59: 86% female, mean age 83.5 years) with 3‐ or 4‐part fractures	Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty	Sling immobilisation	1 year
Olerud 2011a	60 participants (of 59: 86% female, mean 83.5 years) with 3‐part fractures (all had displaced surgical neck fracture) (Sweden)	Open reduction and fixation with a PHILOS plate and non‐absorbable sutures	Sling immobilisation	2 years
Olerud 2011b	55 participants (85% female, mean age 77 years) with 4‐part fractures (Sweden)	Humeral head replacement with the Global Fx prosthesis	Sling immobilisation	2 years
ProFHER 2015	250 participants (77% female, mean age 66 years) with "displaced fracture of the proximal humerus that involved the surgical neck". Included 18 1‐part (but confirmed as still "displaced"), 128 2‐part, 93 3‐part and 11 4‐part fractures (UK)	Either internal fixation (majority were PHILOS plates) or joint replacement (hemiarthroplasty) Pragmatic trial ‐ choice based on surgeon's experience with method	Sling immobilisation	2 years
Stableforth 1984	32 participants (78% female, mean age 68 years) with 4‐part fracture (UK)	Hemiarthroplasty	Closed manipulation and sling	6 months
Zyto 1997	40 participants (88% female, mean age 74 years) with 3‐ or 4‐part fractures (3 others excluded) (Sweden)	Internal fixation using surgical tension band or cerclage wiring	Sling immobilisation	50 months

PHILOS: Proximal Humerus Internal Locking System