Primary shortening followed by callus distraction for the treatment of a posttraumatic bone defect: case report.

The case of a 10-year-old boy is reported in which a 5-cm defect of the humerus sustained 2 months previously was treated by open reduction and external fixation followed by distraction beginning on the 20th day after surgery and continuing to the 40th day. The result was a 4-cm gain in length, with return of normal function and complete resolution of a concomitant radial nerve palsy.