Abstract
Nonunion of a humerus shaft fracture after repeatedly failed surgical attempts at bone healing presents a difficult therapeutic problem especially in the presence of osteoporosis, bone defect, and joint stiffness. The incidence of nonunion of humeral shaft fractures is reported as 2–10 % when managed conservatively and around 15 % when managed by open reduction and internal fixation (Pugh DM, McKee MD, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 11:48–59, 2003). The use of external fixation (unilateral or modified Ilizarov) augmented by IM rods together with the routine use of ICBG is a viable option to treat humeral shaft nonunion following failed implant surgery (Patel VR, Menon DK, Pool RD, Simonis RB, J Bone Jt Surg Br 82:977–983, 2000). The proposed technique improves stability of fixation and meanwhile minimizes the operative complications. The IM rod is left in situ after fixator removal to act as a permanent splint to shorten the external fixator time and prevent refracture after fixator removal (El-Rosasy MA, Indian J Orthop 46:58–64, 2012).
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References and Suggested Reading
Chou PH, Shyu JF, Ma HL, Wang ST, Chen TH (2008) Courses of the radial nerve differ between Chinese and Caucasians: clinical applications. Clin Orthop Relat Res 466:135–138
Clement H, Pichler W, Tesch NP, Heidari N, Grechenig W (2010) Anatomical basis of the risk of radial nerve injury related to the technique of external fixation applied to the distal humerus. Surg Radiol Anat 32:221–224
El-Rosasy MA (2012) Nonunited humerus shaft fractures treated by external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod. Indian J Orthop 46:58–64
Patel VR, Menon DK, Pool RD, Simonis RB (2000) Nonunion of the humerus after failure of surgical treatment. Management using the Ilizarov circular fixator. J Bone Jt Surg Br 82:977–983
Pugh DM, McKee MD (2003) Advances in the management of humeral nonunion. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 11:48–59
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El-Rosasy, M.A. (2015). Case 103: Humerus Nonunion Treated with Fixator Augmented Rod Technique. In: Rozbruch, S., Hamdy, R. (eds) Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgery Case Atlas. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18020-5_278
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18020-5_278
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
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Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18020-5
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