Purpose: There is limited evidence for comparing operative and non-operative management of closed, extra-articular distal humeral shaft fractures. This study aims to evaluate these outcomes.
Methods: A comparative retrospective study was performed for patients who underwent either operative fixation or conservative management with a humeral brace, with clinical and radiological outcomes at minimum 2-year follow-up.
Results: Forty-two patients with median 4.6 years follow-up were included; 24 had surgical fixation and 18 were managed with humeral brace. Assessment of clinical and radiological outcomes demonstrated few statistically significant functional differences between the two groups. Surgical patients achieved faster union for non-comminuted fractures. All patients maintained functional range of motion, with similar complication rates.
Conclusion: This study suggests that similar outcomes can be achieved with both managements, though faster union times may be seen in the operative group. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the impact of fracture comminution causing delayed unions.
Keywords: Comparison; Distal humerus; Extra-articular; Non-operative; Operative; Outcomes.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature.