Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus using a functional brace
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Unit, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Objective:
To determine humeral diaphyseal fractures at risk for nonunion with functional brace treatment.
Design:
Retrospective case series.
Setting:
A single surgeon's practice.
Patients:
Forty-nine of 52 consecutive patients treated nonoperatively for an isolated diaphyseal fracture of the humerus during a 6-year period were followed until either union and full or near-full restoration of shoulder and elbow motion, or until 6 months had passed, or until a reconstructive surgery was performed (average follow-up 14 months; range 2 to 50 months).
Intervention:
Functional fracture brace.
Main Outcome Measurements:
Radiographic and clinical union.
Results:
Union was achieved in 44 of 49 patients (90%) with no more than 15-degree loss of shoulder or elbow motion in any patient. Four of 14 proximal-third fractures (29%), one of 22 middle-third fractures (4%), and none of the 13 distal-third fractures failed to heal.
Conclusions:
Proximal-third long oblique fractures may be at greater than average risk for nonunion after functional fracture bracing.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV (case series).
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:19Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus