Comparison between operative and non operative treatment of fracture shaft of humerus: an outcome analysis

Authors

  • Sanjeev Kumar Department of Orthopedics, Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
  • Natarajan Shanmugam Department of Orthopedics, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Sandeep Kumar Department of Orthopedics, Government Hospital, Sri Ganga Nagar, Rajasthan, India
  • Kalanithi Ramanusan Department of Orthopedics, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20171537

Keywords:

Fracture shaft of humerus, Comparative study, Plate vs. functional cast bracing

Abstract

Background: Humerus shaft fractures account for 3% of all orthopaedic injuries. Many modalities of treatment are available. Conservative treatment has been the mainstay of treatment. But now due to improvements in anaesthesia, implant design many patients having fracture shaft of humerus are operated.

Methods: We compared the operative and non operative modalities of treatment in this prospective randomised controlled trial. In 40 patients, twenty patients were treated surgically and twenty were treated non surgically between May 2012 to June 2014 in Hindu Rao Hospital, New Delhi.

Results: Our results show faster union in non-operative patients but functional DASH scores are significantly better in operated patients. Complications are comparable in both groups.

Conclusions: Operative treatment for fracture shaft humerus gives better functional results in this study. Dynamic compression plating of humerus is better method than conservative method and avoids prolonged immobilization. Larger multicentric trials comparing functional cast bracing and plating are needed.

Author Biographies

Sanjeev Kumar, Department of Orthopedics, Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India

Chief Medical Officer

Dept of Orthopaedics 

Natarajan Shanmugam, Department of Orthopedics, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Department of Orthopedics, Associate Professor

Sandeep Kumar, Department of Orthopedics, Government Hospital, Sri Ganga Nagar, Rajasthan, India

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Kalanithi Ramanusan, Department of Orthopedics, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Senior Resident 

Department of Orthopaedics 

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Published

2017-04-25

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Original Research Articles