Atrophic ununited diaphyseal fractures of the humerus with a bony defect

Abstract

We treated 15 patients with atrophic nonunion of a diaphyseal fracture of the humerus with an associated bony defect using an autogenous cancellous bone graft and a plate to bridge the defect. There were nine men and six women with a mean age of 48 years. The mean length of the bony defect was 3 cm. At a mean follow-up of 30 months only one fracture failed to unite. This suggests that, in the presence of a well-vascularised envelope of muscle, the application of an autogenous cancellous bone graft in conjunction with a bridging plate represents a good alternative to more demanding surgical techniques.

New Minimally Invasive Bridge-Plate Technique for Treatment of Atrophic Humeral Shaft Nonunion

“…The results obtained confirm the conclusions of Ring et al (1), who stated that it is important to use a careful, biologically and mechanically adequate technique to achieve bone healing. With the plate slid over the anterior surface of the humerus and respecting the approaches previously described, the radial nerve is totally protected (2)(3)(4)6) and there is no inherent danger to any vascular structure.…”

“…Ring et al (1) demonstrated that the most important factor to achieve bone healing in nonunion is use of a careful, biologically and mechanically adequate technique.…”

Shape memory Ni-Ti alloy swan-like bone connector for treatment of humeral shaft nonunion

“…According to some reports, the incidence of radial nerve injury in nonunion management may reach 8% with open reduction and plate fixation [10,15,18,22]. In the nine cases treated by McKnee et al [15], radial nerve injury was found in two cases.…”

Treatment of humeral shaft non-unions by the Ilizarov method

“…In contrast, length discrepancies in humeral shaft non-unions of up to 4-5 cm do not cause any functional or cosmetic disability [7]. Ring et al [10] reported the results of a group of non-unions treated by a bridging compression plate and the filling of the defect with autogenous cortico-cancellous grafts. However, they did not comment on the benefit of this defect reconstruction.…”