Interlocked intramedullary nailing of the humerus.

Indications for use of the intramedullary interlocked humeral nail are: pathologic fractures, including those with severe osteopenia alone; nonunions, especially those with bone atrophy and/or marked osteopenia; and humeral shaft fractures with comminution, bone loss, or other causes of instability not controlled by conventional treatment methods. In this series, eight patients were treated by intramedullary interlocked humeral nail. Follow up ranged up to 30 months, with an average of 12 months. Five of six patients in this series who had the potential to unite their fractures did so. The remaining patient had a painless fibrous union. While the two patients with pathologic fractures of the humeral shaft caused by malignant tumors did not unite their fractures, the pain relief, functional recovery, and lack of postoperative morbidity justified the operative procedure.