HUMERAL DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURE;

TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF CLOSE REDUCTION AND CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT IN CLOSED HUMERAL DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURE IN TERMS OF NORMAL UNION AND DELAYED UNION.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the outcome of close reduction and conservative
management in closed humeral diaphyseal fracture in terms of normal union and delayed
union. Study design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Orthopedic Department of Allied and
DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. Duration of study: 15th December 2012 to 15th December 2014.
Material & Methods: 170 patients with mean age of 36.68 ± 14.16 including 98 (57.6%)
males and 72 (42.4%) females falling in inclusion criteria were managed conservatively with
the technique i.e. application of u-shaped plaster slab initially for 3 weeks then replaced by
humeral brace (Sarmiento) uptil 12 weeks. Results: 170 patients with mean age of 36.68 ±
14.16 including 98 (57.6%) males and 72 (42.4%) female patient. Simple transverse fractures
were 103 (66.47%), spiral fractures 31 (18.23%) and oblique fractures 36 (15.30%). Union
was achieved in 158 patients (92.94%), 12 patients (7.05%) progress to delayed union. Mean
healing time was 10 weeks ± 1.81 with a range of 7 to 15 weeks. Conclusion: When choosing
conservative methods close reduction and conservative management initially with u-slab of
plaster of paris later replaced by humeral brace (Sarmiento) is the treatment of choice because
of low complication but very high success rates.