Good results with unreamed nail and bone grafting for humeral nonunion: a retrospective study of 21 patients

• Published in: Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica Vol. 73; no. 3; p. 273
• Main Authors: Martínez, Angel A, Herrera, Antonio, Cuenca, Jorge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-06-2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Nails; Bone Transplantation; Female; Fractures, Ununited - surgery; Humans; Humeral Fractures - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0001-6470
• DOI: 10.1080/000164702320155239

21 patients with humeral shaft nonunions were treated by retrograde nailing with the unreamed humeral nail. In all cases, we reamed the fracture site and performed a bone graft. Union of the fracture occurred in every case. The mean healing time was 4.2 (4-6) months. The range of motion of the shoulder and elbow was excellent in 14 patients, that of the shoulder moderate in 6 and poor in 1, and that of the elbow moderate in 7. The functional results were excellent in 13 patients, good in 5 and fair in 3. Given the good functional results in this series, retr grade locked nailing and bone grafting appears to be a good method for treating humeral shaft nonunions.