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Functional Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fractures: Indications and Results

1997; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 11; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00005131-199705000-00011

1531-2291

T. Wallny, K. Westermann, C. Sagebiel, Matthias Reimer, U. Wagner,

Hip and Femur Fractures

Objective: To determine effectiveness of closed functional bracing for humeral shaft fractures. Design: Retrospective. Setting: University. Patients: Eighty-seven patients with humeral shaft fractures. Intervention: All patients were treated with closed functional bracing. Main Outcomes Measured: Both subjective and objective criteria were measured. Objective criteria consisted of range of motion and radiographic measurements. Subjective data were recorded using the Hannover Shoulder Score. Results: Eighty-six percent of the follow-up group showed no restrictions in the movement of their shoulder and elbow joints. On the basis of subjective criteria, 95% of the patients were content with the functional treatment, 65% claimed to be pain free in their daily activities and at work, and 35% felt pain only when doing vigorous activities or heavy physical work. Although malposition with an angulation greater than 10° was observed in ten patients (12.6%), functional outcome was good or excellent in two thirds of the cases followed up. Conclusions: When the correct indications are present, functional treatment of humeral shaft fractures has proven to be an excellent method that is both reliable and cost effective.