Outcome after Closed Functional Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fractures

Abstract

This study confirms the high overall rate of union of humeral shaft fractures and an acceptable functional outcome after successful fracture-brace treatment. However, in simple (type A) fractures, the nonunion rate seems to be higher, and patients with healed nonunions after revision surgery reported worse functional outcomes. Based on these findings, it seems reasonable to explore the use of plate fixation compared with nonoperative treatment for selected fracture types in a randomized controlled trial.