INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare plating and nailing for treating nonunions of the upper two-thirds of the humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty nonunions of the upper two-thirds of the humerus were treated by two different methods: 24 of them by unreamed locked nailing and bone graft (group A), and the other 26 by plate fixation and bone grafting (group B). RESULTS: All fractures healed in both groups. In group A, the time required for healing was 4.2 months (range 4-6 months), whereas in group B it was 4.7 months (range 4-6 months). This difference was statistically significant ( p<0.05). Functional results and the range of motion of the shoulder and elbow were similar with both techniques. In group B there were 3 cases of transient, iatrogenic, radial nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: We feel that both plate fixation and the unreamed humeral locked nail are good alternatives for the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions, although nailing achieves union earlier and has fewer complications.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare plating and nailing for treating nonunions of the upper two-thirds of the humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty nonunions of the upper two-thirds of the humerus were treated by two different methods: 24 of them by unreamed locked nailing and bone graft (group A), and the other 26 by plate fixation and bone grafting (group B). RESULTS: All fractures healed in both groups. In group A, the time required for healing was 4.2 months (range 4-6 months), whereas in group B it was 4.7 months (range 4-6 months). This difference was statistically significant ( p<0.05). Functional results and the range of motion of the shoulder and elbow were similar with both techniques. In group B there were 3 cases of transient, iatrogenic, radial nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: We feel that both plate fixation and the unreamed humeral locked nail are good alternatives for the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions, although nailing achieves union earlier and has fewer complications.