Assessment of humerus union and shoulder movement after management of humeral shaft fracture by interlocking nail

Abstract

Background: Humeral shaft fracture makes up approximately 3% of all fracture types. Advantages of intramedullary nailing in management is considered a minor invasive surgical procedure that can effectively shorten the operative time and hospital stay and reduce the intraoperative blood loss. This study aimed to assess if better management of humeral shaft fracture by intramedullary nail fixation.
Methods: This is a prospective clinical trial included 12 patients. All of them suffering from humeral shaft fracture with age ranged from 25 to 65 years. All patients were operated upon at Orthopedic Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. All patients were evaluated both clinically and radiologically. Assessment of shoulder movement was done by a constant score.
Results: Time of union was distributed as 11.50±1.78 with minimum 10 and maximum 18 weeks. Regarding shoulder movement, majority of patients were excellent with 66.7 % then good 33.4 %. Regarding elbow movement, majority was excellent with 83.3 % then Good 16.7 %. Ten cases were excellent in movement and two cases were good according to shoulder constant score.
Conclusion: Locked humeral nailing has proven to be a reliable therapeutic option for humeral diaphysis fractures, resulting in a satisfactory functional outcome and a high union rate. It also permitted early use of the limb, which is critical.