A study of nutrient foramina in dry adult humeri of South Indian subjects

Abstract

Background: Vascular insults to the humerus either during fracture dislocation or during surgical correction of fracture may result in delayed healing or non-union of fracture. It is worth to find the number and size of nutrient foramina. The knowledge regarding the nutrient foramina helps to protect them during conservative operative procedures of the bone, thus to concentrate upon the viability of the fractured fragments. Objectives: To observe the location of nutrient foramina with reference to the different segments of shaft of humerus, to note variations in number, direction and size of the nutrient foramina. Further to examine if a correlation exists between the length of humerus and number of vascular foramina and nutrient foramina. Materials and methods: The study was undertaken on 200 dry normal adult humerus bones. Observations were made using Hepburn’s osteometric board and hypodermic needles of different gauges. Statistical methods (SPSS) were used to analyze these observations. Results: The location of nutrient foramen was more in the middle l/3rd of antero- medial surface. Majority of humeri showed one nutrient foramen, whereas there were 2 to 3 foramina in few humeri. Conclusion: This study will help in planning the surgical treatment of fracture of humerus which will possibly reduce the post-operative complications.