The study of distal ¼ diaphyseal extra articular fractures of humerus treated with antegrade intramedullary interlocking nailing

Author(s): Dr. Ankur Parikh, Dr. Nitin Patel and Dr. Raghav Barve

Abstract: Humerus fractures are one of the most commonly encountered Orthopaedic injuries after fall and road traffic accidents. In general, humerus diaphysis fractures accounts for 1 to 2 % of all fractures occurring in the human body and 15% of all the fractures of humerus. In the operative management, there has been a long-term debate between nailing and plating. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of antegrade intramedullary closed interlocking nailing in distal ¼ humeral diaphyseal fractures. A total of 42 patients with acute distal ¼ humeral diaphyseal fracture were selected on the basis of anatomical location and, managed with closed reduction and antegrade intramedullary interlocking nailing over the period of 13 years (January 2003 - July 2016). They were evaluated using AMERICAN Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons’ Score. All 42 patients’ fracture got united with primary fracture healing in mean time of clinical union of 13.61 weeks (range 10 to 18 weeks). Amongst all, two patients suffered from shoulder stiffness post operatively. None of the patient suffered from iatrogenic neurovascular injury. For patients having distal ¼ humeral diaphyseal fracture closed antegrade intramedullary nailing is dependable solution for achieving fracture stabilization and ultimate healing with less amount of blood loss, complications and less operating time. It is minimally invasive surgery and has minimum morbidity if performed using basic principles.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2018.v4.i4b.11