2-Humerus Diaphysis - Classification of Fractures of Long Bones

After 10 million years of experience we were brainwashed into believing that rigid immobilization of fractures was a prerequisite for fracture healing. Ten million years was not enough. Presentation by Sarmiento

This module shows step-by-step descriptions of

• Diagnosis
• Patient preparation
• Approaches
• Reduction & fixation
• Aftercare

 
for all humeral shaft fractures of the AO classification system.
In addition, there are videos, animations, journal articles and book chapters.
 
Authored by Pol Rommens, Peter Trafton, Executive editor: Chris Colton

Humeral shaft fractures can be managed non-operatively with 90-100% union rates in almost all cases. Expert

Humeral Shaft fractures - plates versus nailing Expert

Flinders Registrars' Notebook

eMedicine Lawless 2004

OTA paper 2004

Abstract OTA paper 2004
Conclusion/Significance: Plating of humeral shaft fractures has traditionally been performed with 4.5-mm dynamic compression plates, broad or narrow, with good results, and this method is treated as our control group in this study. The smaller 3.5-mm plate offers the theoretical advantage of more holes per unit length, especially useful in complex comminuted fractures or periarticular fractures, particularly of the distal third of the humeral shaft. They are generally more easily contoured and are more easily positioned on the humerus. Decreased need for dissection resulting in fewer traumas to the radial nerve may also be an advantage. The advent of locked-plating technology makes these implants even more attractive for routine use in fixation of the humeral shaft. In our series, no failures occurred in the locked-plating group, even with weight-bearing. Although the larger plates remain the likely implant of choice for nonunion of the humerus, we believe that these results support the use of 3.5-mm plates, particularly the locking-compression plates, for the routine operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures.

2 Cases Report. J Korean Fracture Soc. 2000 Oct;13(4):978-98 Spiral fractures of the middle or distal shaft of the humerus that occur during attempts to throw a variety of objects are not common. Many authors have reported that the cause of fracture was the results of uncoordinated muscle violence. We experienced two cases of throwing fractures of humerus, one is baseball player(catcher) preceded by arm pain during throwing motion, the other is recreational hand grenade player without prodromal arm pain. 1. Korean (Abstract)