Treatment of closed humeral shaft fractures with intramedullary elastic nails.

Abstract

Our purpose is a retrospective study of the results of diaphyseal humeral fracture treatment by elastic intramedullary nailing in comparison with plate osteosynthesis. Thirty cases were reviewed, with an average follow-up of 2 years. In 14 cases, flexible nails were used, and in the remaining 16 cases, A-O plates were used. We considered patients' sex and age, fracture type according to the A-O classification, type of treatment, consolidation defects, additional therapeutic procedures, healing time, and functional recovery. The surgical technique of elastic nailing appeared very simple, safe, and rather atraumatic because the nail is introduced in a retrograde manner and does not need proximal interlocking. The results of elastic nailing, in terms of fracture healing time and functional recovery, appeared comparable with the results of plating, and complications appeared milder. We conclude that intramedullary elastic nailing is valid for routine use in appropriately selected humeral shaft fractures.