Results of Surgical treatment of Nonunion of Humeral Shaft Fracture with Dynamic Compression Plate and Cancellous Bone Grafting

Abstract

Introduction: Nonunion of humeral fractures after conservative or surgical treatment represents a disabling condition for the patient and a challenge for the surgeon. Study aimed to evaluate the outcome of treatment of humeral shaft nonunions with dynamic compression plate and cancellous bone graft. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, GMC Srinagar from June 2016 to December 2019. Twenty patients were operated over this period. Trauma was the cause of injury in majority of the patients. Nonunion was atrophic in 80% and hypertrophic in 20% of the individuals. All the patients had closed fracture at presentation, and 70% had received previous treatment from traditional bone setters and 30% had failure of the conservative cast management. Results: The average time to union was 18 weeks. Treatment previously from traditional bone setters significantly affected the time to fracture union (p<0.05). All fractures united successfully. Conclusion: we concluded that treatment with dynamic compression plating and cancellous bone grafting remains an effective treatment option for nonunion of humeral shaft.