Ender Nailing for Proximal Humeral Fractures.

Abstract

We treated 2-or 3-part proximal humeral unstable fractures with closed intramedullary fixation using Ender nails. Over 5 years (1994-1998), we treated 10 patients consisting of a man and 9 women whose age at operation ranged from 27 to 82 years (average; 61.6 years). 8 cases were 2-part fractures and 2 cases were 3-part. We perfomed fixation using 2 Ender nails from 2 entrance portals at the medial and lateral epicondyle of the distal humerus. Within 2 weeks after surgery, the patient was allowed to begin active and passive range of motion exercise. There were no infections and non-unions. Clinical and radiographical results were acceptable in 8 cases, and poor in 2. One of the nails cutout in 3 patients, requiring reversion or extraction in 2.