Retrograde fixation of fractures of the neck and shaft of the humerus withthe 'Halder humeral nail'

The Halder humeral nail is a new intramedullary device designed for displac ed two part humeral neck and shaft fractures. It is inserted retrograde fro m the olecranon fossa and a unique trio wire is inserted through the nail t o provide good proximal fixation. This avoids the use of proximal screws an d damage to the rotator cuff thereby ensuring good rotator cuff function. The results of 100 cases arc presented. At 6 weeks, 95 patients could perfo rm the majority of daily tasks. There were four non-unions, one following a deep infection. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.