Failure of internal fixation of a humerus fracture resulting from longitudinal fissuring: a case report

J Orthop Trauma. 2010 Jul;24(7):e69-73. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e3181cdae5c.

Abstract

We present the case of failure of internal fixation of a humerus fracture resulting from longitudinal fissuring of the far cortex from linearly placed screws. Our case involves a 60-year-old right hand-dominant male who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a left midshaft humerus fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association Type 12-B2) with an ipsilateral Bado Type I Monteggia fracture after being struck by a motor vehicle while crossing the street. Our patient's fixation subsequently failed, which was found intraoperatively to be caused by a stress riser along the far cortex from linearly place screws.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Plates / adverse effects
  • Bone Screws / adverse effects
  • Equipment Failure*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / adverse effects*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Humeral Fractures / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome