[Unreamed antegrade humeral interlocking nailing]

In a prospective clinical study 111 fractures of the humerus in 109 consecutive patients were stabilized with unreamed antegrade interlocking nailing. 97 patients were evaluated with individual follow-up, in the mean at 24.2 months postoperatively. Mean fracture consolidation time was 12.3 weeks (9-16 weeks). Five patients presented a non union. At follow-up 19 patients had a limitation in motion of the shoulder, in the mean with 20% compared to the opposite side. Eight patients had permanent shoulder pain, in nine patients shoulder pain occurred during manual strain of the upper limb. Neither limitation of motion nor pain at the elbow region was present in all cases at follow-up. Ultrasound examination revealed in six cases a lesion of the rotator cuff, which was linked in these cases with permanent pain at the shoulder joint. In five patients a prominent nail tip at the entrance point caused a lesion of the rotator cuff with impingement syndrome. Eight out of nine preoperative palsies of the radial nerve recovered within a mean period of 4.3 months without operative measurements. Unreamed antegrade interlocking nailing of humeral fractures is a safe technique regarding consolidation rate with advantages regarding early mobilization of the upper limb. Careful suturing of the rotator cuff and countersinking of the proximal nail tip at the entrance point is a prerequisite in avoiding permanent lesions of the rotator cuff and shoulder pain.