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Functional treatment of closed humeral shaft fractures

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Abstract

We treated 93 consecutive patients, average age 53 (16–90) years, with closed humeral shaft fractures applying a functional brace immediately after injury. Seventy-two (77%) fractures healed without problems. There were significantly more consolidation problems in fractures in the proximal third (46% consolidated) compared to those at the middle (81% consolidated) and distal third (86% consolidated) of the shaft. Logistic regression analysis revealed the only predictive factor in respect to successful brace treatment was fracture location. No significant difference was found in respect to healing between different AO-type fractures.

Résumé

Nous avons traité 93 malades consécutifs, d’âge moyen 53 ans (16–90), avec une fracture diaphysaire humérale fermée en utilisant une attelle fonctionnelle immédiatement après le traumatisme. Soixante-douze (77%) fractures ont guéri sans problème. Il y avait plus de difficultés de consolidation dans les fractures du tiers proximal (46% ont consolidé) comparé à celles du tiers moyen (81% ont consolidé) et du tiers distal (86% ont consolidé) de la diaphyse. L’analyse statistique a révélé que le seul facteur prédictif de la réussite du traitement est la localisation de la fracture. Aucune différence significative n’a été trouvée selon les types de la classification AO.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, 33521, Tampere, Finland

    J. A. K. Toivanen, H.-J. Laine, S. E. Honkonen & M. J. Järvinen

  2. Medical School, University of Tampere, K-Building, 33014, Tampere, Finland

    J. A. K. Toivanen & M. J. Järvinen

  3. COXA Hospital, 33521, Tampere, Finland

    J. Nieminen

  4. Koljontie 72, 33500, Tampere, Finland

    J. A. K. Toivanen

Authors
  1. J. A. K. Toivanen
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  2. J. Nieminen
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  3. H.-J. Laine
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  4. S. E. Honkonen
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  5. M. J. Järvinen
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Correspondence to J. A. K. Toivanen.

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Toivanen, J.A.K., Nieminen, J., Laine, HJ. et al. Functional treatment of closed humeral shaft fractures. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 29, 10–13 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-004-0612-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-004-0612-8

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