title: A Pre-fabricated Bracing System for the Management of Humeral Shaft Fractures: Experience of a Centre in the United Kingdom.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study is to evaluate the ability of a pre- fabricated humeral bracing system in providing sufficient stability to fracture union and carry out a cost analysis comparing bracing versus surgical fixation for these fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of humeral shaft fractures treated with a pre-fabricated humeral bracing system was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  20 humeral fractures (20 patients) were included. Mean patient age was 56.8 years (range 16- 89). There were 14 AO type A, 3 type B and 3 type C fractures. Median time interval from fracture to brace application was 8 days (range 0-41). Clinical and radiological union was achieved in 15 humeri (75%). Median time to clinical and radiological union was 80 days (range 32-434). The cost of treating humeral shaft fractures surgically by plating and by humeral bracing was estimated at £ 2292.99 and £ 1228 per case, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. A pre-fabricated bracing system is an efficacious and cost-effective modality for humeral shaft fracture treatment. 2. It may, however, lead to a high non-union rate as well as shoulder and elbow stiffness. 3. A prospective randomized trial comparing bracing with internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures is needed.
authors.affiliation: Mersey Deanery Rotation, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C Panayiotou
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Charalambous
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001915:Braces / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult