Humerus Shaft Fracture in Adult Managed with Elastic Nails: A Case Report and Literature Review of Management Options

Humerus fractures can be caused by significant force, minor incidents, or pre-existing bone conditions. They have been historically managed with either conservative or surgical management. Recently, a shift toward surgical management can be seen due to the need for quicker functional recovery. A recent method has emerged back to the surface, and its outcomes are being reported more and more, which is the method of closed reduction and fixation using bundling techniques.

We present a 68-year-old female who presented with an isolated closed left spiral humerus fracture at the junction of the proximal ⅔ and distal ⅓ following a fall. She was managed with three elastic nails of size 3 mm filling the medullary canal. She was followed closely postoperatively and healed without issues in range of motion, stiffness, or pain.

This case study examines the management of a humeral fracture in a geriatric patient using three free-floating elastic intramedullary nails. The successful outcome of this approach suggests that this treatment option offers adequate stability for humeral shaft fractures in older adults and can be easily implemented in similar fracture patterns.