Background: Fractures of shaft of humerus are common, they account for 3% of all the orthopedic injuries, and it resulted in a significant load to society because of loss productivity and wages. Operative treatment is done with the help of external fixation, intramedullary nailing, or plate-and-screw fixation, with each method showing a high rate of union. The present study was conducted with the aim to compare the outcome of operative and non-operative management of humeral shaft fractures.

Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted in the department of orthopedics for a period of 2 years, Subjects more than 18 years were included in the study. The mechanism of trauma, treatment received and signs of radial palsy were noted in all the cases. All the data was arranged in a tabulated form and analyzed using SPSS software. Chi square test was used to determine the level significance. Probability value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: The study enrolled 60 subjects, out of which 30 were managed operatively and 30 were managed non-operatively. The mean age of the subjects was 42.45+/- 6.37 years. There were 35 males and 25 females. The mean total time for type A fractures was 15 weeks with the range of 12-18 weeks. The mean total time for type B fractures was 16 weeks with the range of 13-23 weeks. Delayed union was seen in a total of 20% (n=12) cases, out of which 23.3% (n=7) were that of non-operative group and 16.7% (n=5) were that of operative group.

Conclusion: According to the present study, there was no significant difference in the operative and non-operative surgical treatment modality. The study observed similar rates of delayed union and radial nerve palsy in both operative and non-operative treatment modality.

Keywords: humerus, intramedullary, orthopedics.

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Dr Vikas Verma

Senior Resident, Department of Orthopedics

SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India