The use of locked nails in the treatment of humeral shaft: delayed union and nonunion.

Objectives: To assess the results and clinical outcome of delayed union and nonunion humeral shaft treatment using locked medullary nails.

Subjects And Methods: The Russel and Taylor humeral locking nail was used to treat 21 patients with humeral shaft fractures at Al Razi hospital, Kuwait, from 1997 to 2001. Of these, 8 had delayed union and 13 nonunion. Also, 13 had previous operative treatment, while 8 had nonoperative treatment. Antegrade nailing was done in all cases, and all nails were fixed statically. Autogenous iliac bone grafts were used in 17 cases.

Results: Of the 21 cases of fractures, 19 were united. Only 2 cases had persistent nonunion. Eighteen cases had satisfactory shoulder function, and 3 lost shoulder abduction between 40 and 65 degrees.

Conclusion: Our data showed that humeral locked nails can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating humeral shaft delayed unions and nonunions.