Antegrade locked intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fractures

Thirty-three humeral nailings were carried out using the Russell-Taylor nai l. Twenty-two acute fractures and one non-union united, gave an overall uni on rate of 70%. Eighteen patients (56%) experienced pain in the shoulder or at the fracture site. Thirteen patients (41%) had poor shoulder function. Only 17 (51%) of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. Fourteen patients (42%) need ed further surgery. We conclude that antegrade intamedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures leads to a substantial risk of non-union and impairment of shoulder functi on. There was no significant correlation between fracture comminution and f racture healing in our study. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.