Flexible Unreamed Locked Nailing in the Treatment of Diaphyseal Humerus Fractures

Abstract

A modified implant using unreamed locked intramedullary nailing of the humerus allows a stable fixation of humeral shaft fractures and immediate postoperative functional recovery. The type of nail used has angulations at its two ends: between them there is a long cleaved flexible shaft. The implant has two forms: the thicker form is cannulated and the thinner one is solid. This type of nail was used to stabilize fractures 2 cm below the surgical neck and 4 cm proximal to the olecranon fossa. This nail was used on 74 patients who had suffered humeral shaft fractures. This type of nail can be inserted by either antegrade or retrograde methods. All of the fractures operated on, healed in an average of 6 months with excellent postoperative shoulder and elbow function. In cases of pathological fractures, stability was maintained up to the end of the patient's life. There were no occurrences of vascular and nerve iatrogenic injury, septic complications, or implant failure. Postoperative radial nerve palsy was temporarily displayed in 3 patients, all of whom showed spontaneous recovery.

Key words

humeral shaft fractures - intramedullary flexible nailing - statically locked nailing - antegrade-retrograde method

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