title: Functional bracing for comminuted extra-articular fractures of the distal third of the humerus.
abstract: From 1982 to 1987 we treated 85 extra-articular comminuted distal third humeral fractures in adults with prefabricated plastic braces. Of these, 15% were open fractures and 18% had initial peripheral nerve injury. On average, the sleeve was applied 12 days after injury and used for 10 weeks. There was 96% union, with no infections. All nerve injuries resolved or were improving at the latest examination. At union there was varus deformity averaging 9 degrees in 81% of patients, but loss of range of movement was minimal and functional results were good.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90007.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarmiento
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horowitch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aboulafia
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Vangsness
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing