In Closed Humeral Shaft Fractures, Internal Fixation Surgery Did Not Improve Functional Outcomes at 12 Months Compared with Nonoperative Functional Bracing

Purpose. To compare functional outcomes, union and complication rates in patients treated with locked intramedullary nailing or dynamic compression plating for humeral shaft fractures. Methods. 32 men and 2 women with humeral shaft fractures were randomised to undergo locked antegrade intramedullary nailing (IMN, n=16) or dynamic compression plating (DCP, n=18). Patients with pathological fractures, grade-III open fractures, neurovascular injury, or fractures for more than 2 weeks were excluded. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification system (one in A1, 6 in A2, 12 in A3, 6 in B1, and 9 in B2). 28 were injured in road traffic accidents. The functional outcome (according to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and rates of union and complication of the 2 groups were compared. Results. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months. In the respective IMN and DCP groups, the mean ASES scores were 45.2 and 45.1 (p=0.69), the complication rates were 50% and 17% (p=0.038), and the non-union rates were 0% and 6% (p=0.15). In the IMN group, 2 sustained iatrogenic fractures during nail insertion; 2 had transient radial nerve palsies; one underwent nail removal for shoulder impingement; and 3 had adhesive capsulitis. In the DCP group, one underwent re-operation for implant failure; one had a superficial infection; and one developed adhesive capsulitis. Conclusion. The complication rate was higher in the IMN group, whereas functional outcomes were good with both modalities.

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Assessment of Shoulder Function after Internal Fixation of Humeral Diaphyseal Fractures in Young Adults: A Prospective Comparative Study

Advances in Orthopedics ◽

10.1155/2021/9471009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hossam Fathi Mahmoud ◽

Ahmed Hatem Farhan ◽

Fahmy Samir Fahmy

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Blood Loss ◽

Internal Fixation ◽

Operative Time ◽

Shoulder Function ◽

Humeral Shaft ◽

Humeral Shaft Fractures ◽

Shaft Fractures ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Background. Humeral shaft fractures are commonly encountered in casualties. There are different methods of operative internal fixation with no consensus on the best technique. The objective of this study was to assess shoulder function and rate of complications among two different options of fixation, intramedullary nailing, and minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in young adults. Methods. Forty-two patients with humeral shaft fractures were included in the study and divided into two equal groups: group A treated with antegrade intramedullary locked nails (IMN) and group B with MIPO. Fracture union was evaluated with serial X-rays, and shoulder function was assessed in both groups using the scale of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Scale (UCLA), and visual analog score (VAS). The mean differences between groups were recorded and considered significant if the P value was ˂0.05. Results. The results were reported prospectively with no significant differences in mean age, sex, side of injury, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, and the follow-up period between the groups studied. Group A had shorter operative time and minimal blood loss than group B. Regarding shoulder function scores (ASES, UCLA, and VAS), the results in the MIPO group were better than the IMN group with shorter time of union and fewer complications. Conclusion. Despite a shorter operative time and lower blood loss during locked intramedullary nail fixation in the management of humeral shaft fractures, MIPO enables more superior shoulder function with better fracture healing and lower morbidities.

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