title: Non-operative treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft: a comparative study.
abstract: Forty cases of diaphyseal fracture of humerus were treated by functional cast bracing (FCB). Results were compared with a series of 25 patients treated by U cast method. Average time taken for union was 7.5 weeks with a range of 5-14 weeks by FCB method. Fractures treated by U cast method took on an average 10 weeks to unite. Stiffness at shoulder and elbow was uniformly found in patients treated by U cast. More than 50% patients had varus angulation less than 5 degrees after treatment by FCB. Only 16% had varus angulation less than 5 degrees by U cast method while 32% had varus angulation more than 15 degrees. FCB is distinctly superior method of treatment for diaphyseal fracture of humerus.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute of Orthopaedics, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sethi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001915:Braces; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors