title: Atrophic nonunion of humeral diaphysis treated with locking plate and recombinant bone morphogenetic protein: nine cases.
abstract: Nonunions of the humerus are debilitating for patients and challenging for surgeons. We retrospectively reviewed our first 9 humeral nonunions treated with a locking plate and commercially available recombinant bone morphogenetic protein. At latest follow-up, 8 patients showed clinical and radiographic signs of union. One patient had a persistent (11-year) nonunion that failed to unite at 1 year, despite new bone formation, and underwent revision with the same technique. The reported technique is a useful part of the surgeon's armamentarium in treating difficult humeral nonunions. We found a high union rate with an acceptably low complication rate in this difficult population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. chcraw01@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seligson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001860:Bone Plates; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins