title: Antegrade interlocking nailing of acute humeral shaft fractures.
abstract: Between 1992 and 1996, 73 acute humeral shaft fractures in 71 patients were treated with antegrade Russell-Taylor humeral nailing. Sixty (84%) patients sustained multiple trauma, and 26 (36%) fractures were open. Three patients had preoperative brachial artery injuries, and 12 had preoperative nerve palsies. Sixty-nine (94.5%) fractures united primarily, and two additional fractures united after bone grafting. There were no infections. Two (2.7%) iatrogenic radial nerve palsies occurred, and both were transient. Full shoulder function returned in 66 (90%) patients. Two (2.7%) patients had impingement from proximal locking screws, and one (1.4%) had impingement from a prominent nail. Normal elbow function was regained in 96% of patients. All patients without full return of elbow and shoulder function had concomitant injuries. Antegrade Russell-Taylor nailing is an acceptable alternative for the treatment of acute humeral shaft fractures in multiply injured patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee Campbell Clinic, Memphis, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crates
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Whittle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome