English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diaphyseal fracture of the Humerus is a common fracture in the upper limb. Various treatment modalities like P.O.P, Plate and nail are used in the treatment. Limited Contact Dynamic compression plate has been promoted by some as a better plate than the Dynamic Compression Plate. The aim of our study is to find the difference between the mean duration of union between the DCP and the LCDCP in diaphyseal fractures of the Humerus and to find the difference in the functional outcome as measured by the DASH questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2004 and December 2005, thirty patients with Diaphyseal fractures of the humerus were treated with compression plating by compression plating using Dynamic Compression Plate or Limited Contact Dynamic Compression Plate. The time taken for radiological union in the two groups was noted and the difference in the time between the two groups was calculated. After radiological union occurred, the functional outcome was assessed by the Disabilities of Hand, Shoulder and Elbow (DASH) Questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the two groups with respect to age, sex, mode of injury, side of injury and AO type. The average time taken for union in the DCP group was 16.53 weeks and in the LCDCP group it was 15.86 groups. The average time for union in all the thirty patients was 16.2 weeks. The functional outcome was excellent in 17 patients (8 in the DCP group and 9 in the LCDCP group) and good in 13 patients (7 in the DCP group and 6 in the LCDCP group). CONCLUSION: Since we found no statistically significant difference in the time taken for union and the functional outcome between the two groups, we conclude that the theoretical advantage of the LCDCP does not translate into clinical advantage when used in Diaphyseal fractures of the humerus.