The outcome of nonoperative treatment for adult humeral shaft fractures using a U-shaped slab in resource-limited settings: a prospective cohort study

The outcome of nonoperative treatment for adult humeral shaft fractures using a U-shaped slab in resource-limited settings: a prospective cohort study

Humeral shaft fractures, constituting 3-5% of musculoskeletal injuries, are commonly managed conservatively using functional braces. However, this approach may not be feasible in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of nonoperative treatment for humeral sha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 316
Main Authors: Nshimiyimana, Alexis, Ingabire, Jean de la Croix Allen, Byiringiro, Jean Claude, Habumugisha, Basile, Mwizerwa, Jean Luc
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 28-05-2024
BioMed Central
BMC
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Adolescent
Adult
Adults
Care and treatment
Cohort Studies
Conservative Treatment - methods
Female
Fracture Healing
Fractures
Functional outcome
Health Resources - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Humeral Fractures - therapy
Humeral shaft fractures
Male
Middle Aged
Nonoperative management
Prospective Studies
Range of Motion, Articular
Recovery of Function
Rehabilitation
Resource-Limited Settings
Rwanda
Treatment Outcome
U-shaped slab
Young Adult
Rwanda
Rehabilitation
Nonoperative management
Humeral shaft fractures
U-shaped slab
Functional outcome
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Summary:Humeral shaft fractures, constituting 3-5% of musculoskeletal injuries, are commonly managed conservatively using functional braces. However, this approach may not be feasible in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of nonoperative treatment for humeral shaft fractures in adults utilizing a U-shaped slab. This prospective study was conducted from August 2021 to August 2022 involving 16-year-old and older individuals who received nonsurgical treatment for humeral shaft fractures at public tertiary hospitals in Rwanda. The assessment focused on various functional outcomes, including alignment, union rate, range of motion, return to activities of daily living, and DASH score. The study included 73 participants, predominantly males (73.9%), with a median age of 33 years. The union rate was high at 89.04%, and 10.96% experienced delayed union. Radial nerve palsy occurred in 4.11% of patients, but all the patients fully recovered within three months. Despite angular deformities during healing in the majority of participants, these deformities did not significantly impact functional outcomes. According to the international classification of disabilities, 77% of participants achieved a good functional grade. The conservative U-shaped slab method was effective at managing humeral shaft fractures. However, optimal results necessitate careful participant selection and comprehensive rehabilitation education. Implementing these measures can improve the overall success of nonoperative management.
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ISSN:1749-799X
1749-799X
DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-04794-w