The operative treatment of diaphyseal humeral shaft fractures

Hand Clin. 2007 Nov;23(4):437-48, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2007.11.004.

Abstract

Fractures of the humeral shaft comprise 1% to 3% of all fractures. Incidence rates reveal a bimodal distribution in which there is one small peak during adolescence, followed by a larger spike during the fifth and sixth decades of life. Most humeral diaphysis fractures are simple patterns of the mid-diaphysis. This article emphasizes surgical approaches to humeral fractures, providing a review of the surgical spectrum of treatment inclusive of intramedullary nailing and plating, but also includes a brief discussion of the conservative approach.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diaphyses / injuries*
  • Diaphyses / surgery*
  • External Fixators
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Humans
  • Humeral Fractures / surgery*