[Changes and progress in fracture treatment of the humeral shaft]

Most humeral shaft fractures are treated by early functional mobilization (Sarmiento-Bracing). In some situations (short transverse fractures, old age of patients living alone, extreme obesity, social circumstances) operative fixation may be warranted in individual patients. There are, however, several absolute and urgent indications for operative fracture stabilization: fractures involving nerve or vessel injury, open fractures, multiple fractures on the ipsilateral arm, and delayed fracture healing. Osteosythesis with a dorsally placed femoral DC plate gives the best results.