The Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nails as an Alternative Treatment for Adult Humeral Shaft Fractures

BACKGROUND Plate and locked intramedullary nailing for humeral fractures are golden standard procedure, but the humerus is a nonweight-bearing bone and can tolerate a larger range of acceptable alignment. We believe the elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs) can provide enough relative stability for humeral shaft fractures in certain adult patients. METHODS There are four new indications for using ESINs: (1) patient could not tolerate a sugar-tong splint but was a high risk for general anesthesia, (2) intramedullary canal narrowing (<7 mm), (3) long spiral or oblique fracture over the metadiaphyseal junction, and (4) obesity. All patients received retrograde fixation with two titanium elastic nails, except for one patient with a long spiral fracture over the proximal metadiaphysis. Patients had routine follow-up plain radiographs until bone union, and we evaluated functional results of patients by Mayo Elbow Performance Score and asked to complete Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score at the last outpatient clinic visit. RESULTS A total of 16 patients with a mean age of 54.4 years were included. The mean follow-up time was 14 ± 2.5 months, and the average time to bone union was 16 ± 4.3 weeks. There were no wound infections, loss of reduction, fracture nonunion, implant failure, or skin irritation expect for one nail back-out because of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION We have reported good results using ESINs for the displaced fractures of the humerus in the four indication adults who would not be able to tolerate plate fixation or intramedullary nailing. The ESINs fixation method is a simple procedure that provides a small incision, minimal blood loss, short surgical time, and relative stability fixation.