Nonunions of the humerus.
Humerus fractures comprise 5% to 8% of all fractures. Nonunions are uncommon, but when they occur, they present a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon and often are debilitating to patients. There are risk factors that may predispose patients to nonunion. Many methods of treating these nonunions have been described with varying degrees of success. We review the literature concerning the treatment of proximal, midshaft, and distal humeral nonunions and describe our treatment protocol based on the literature.
Volgas
David A
DA
Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294-3409, USA. David.Volgas@ortho.uab.edu
Stannard
James P
JP
Alonso
Jorge E
JE
D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries