Interlocking inramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures

ABSTRACT

This multicenteric study included 38 patients with a fracture of the humeral shaft, treated with antegrade Russel-Taylor interlocking humeral nail. Twenty patients had acute fractures, ten had pathological fractures and eight had pseudoarthrosis. A closed nailing was performed in 16 acute fractures and in all pathological fractures. All open fractures and pathological fractures had no reaming. All patients with pathological fractures had a good relief of pain and an improved function of the upper limb. The mean healing time was 1.2 weeks for acute fractures and 16.75 weeks for pseudoarthrosis. An excellent to satisfactory result was achieved in 96% of the patients for acute fractures and in 75% for pseudoarthrosis. Locking nailing with Russel-Taylor humeral nail is a valuable stabilization technique for acute and pathological humeral shaft, fractures and pseudoarthrosis yielding a high rate of union and good functional results with a few minor complications