Treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus using a functional brace.
OBJECTIVE
To determine humeral diaphyseal fractures at risk for nonunion with functional brace treatment.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
A single surgeon's practice.


METHODS
Forty-nine of 52 consecutive patients treated nonoperatively for an isolated diaphyseal fracture of the humerus during a 6-year period were followed until either union and full or near-full restoration of shoulder and elbow motion, or until 6 months had passed, or until a reconstructive surgery was performed (average follow-up 14 months; range 2 to 50 months).


METHODS
Functional fracture brace.


METHODS
Radiographic and clinical union.


RESULTS
Union was achieved in 44 of 49 patients (90%) with no more than 15-degree loss of shoulder or elbow motion in any patient. Four of 14 proximal-third fractures (29%), one of 22 middle-third fractures (4%), and none of the 13 distal-third fractures failed to heal.


CONCLUSIONS
Proximal-third long oblique fractures may be at greater than average risk for nonunion after functional fracture bracing.


METHODS
Level IV (case series).
Rutgers
Marijn
M
Massachusetts General Hospital, Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Unit, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Ring
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001915:Braces / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors