Functional Outcomes in Aseptic Humeral Shaft Nonunion Treated With Plate Osteosynthesis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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 aseptic humeral shaft nonunion (AHSN), treated with plate osteosynthesis.

This retrospective study, conducted at a referral center in eastern India, included 132 patients with aseptic humeral shaft nonunion 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, pathologic 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 Quick DASH, VAS, Constant Shoulder score 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 with atrophic type of AHSN received autologous bone grafts and plating techniques. Quick DASH scores improved from 77 to 5 on average. Constant Shoulder score improved from 22 to 88 and VAS score improved from 6.7 to 1.3. Union was achieved in 21 weeks on an average, with minimal complications. Despite variations in time intervals, treatments, and follow-up durations, consistent management strategies emphasize stable fixation, bone grafts, and careful management of complications to achieve high union rates and satisfactory outcomes. Complications included seven infections, one failure needed refixation and two case of transient radial nerve palsy.

Absolute stability using plate with or without autologous bone grafting for aseptic humeral shaft nonunion results in high union rates and satisfactory radiologic and functional outcome.