Retrograde Ender nailing for humerus shaft fractures


Published online: Oct 27 2009

Ashish Khurana, Anirudha Pendse, Hitesh Modi, Sanket Diwanji, Hemant Mathur, Rajiv Daveshwar

From the Goverment Medical College and SSG Hospital, Baroda, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Humerus fractures are common ; their management remains controversial. Infection, neurovascular injury, joint problems and non-union are recognised complications of surgical treatment. These complications can be decreased by opting for a surgical treatment that is less invasive and safe. We present a series of 59 patients treated with retrograde Ender nailing ; 56 healed in an average of 9.1 weeks, 2 had delayed union (> 15 weeks) and one went on to non-union, which healed after secondary plate fixation. Nail back out occurred in 8 cases, of which only 3 required nails repositioning. The mean Constant score at final follow-up (mean 19 months) was 91 ; it was significantly lower in patients over 50 years of age and in those with segmental fractures. In this series, Ender retrograde nailing gave overall satisfactory results and appeared as a safe and efficient technique.