Operative Management of Aseptic Humeral Shaft Nonunion: A Retrospective Study from Eastern India

Aseptic nonunion is prevalent in orthopedic practice, causing persistent pain and functional impairment. Humeral shaft fractures, accounting for 3-5% of all fractures, have nonunion rates of 2-33% in nonoperative and 5-10% in surgical management. This study, the largest case series on operative management of humeral shaft nonunion, examines surgical techniques and outcomes. This retrospective study, conducted at a referral center in eastern India, included 132 patients with aseptic humeral shaft nonunion from 2002 to 2020. Cases were from May 2002 to April 2012 and May 2015 to December 2020. Patients aged 20-70 years with nonunion more than 6 months post-trauma were included. Exclusions were open fractures, infections, gap nonunions, pathological fractures, and concomitant upper limb injuries. Surgical techniques involved excising fibrous and unhealthy tissue, compressing the nonunion site, decorticating, shingling, autologous bone grafting, and stable fixation with dynamic or locking compression plates. Outcomes were assessed using DASH, VAS, and constant shoulder score scores at a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The study included 132 patients, 84 males and 48 females, with a mean age of 42.3 years. Fractures were due to high-energy trauma in 78 cases and low-energy trauma in 54 cases. All patients received autologous bone grafts and plating techniques. Quick DASH scores improved from 77 to 5 on average. Union was achieved in 21 weeks on average, with minimal complications. Despite variations in time intervals, treatments, and follow-up durations, consistent management strategies emphasize stable fixation, bone grafts, and careful complication management to achieve high union rates and satisfactory outcomes. Complications included seven infections, one failure needed refixation and one case of transient radial nerve palsy. Absolute stability using a plate with or without autologous bone grafting for aseptic humeral shaft nonunion results in high union rates and satisfactory radiological and functional outcome.