Publication:

Comparison between operative and non operative treatment of fracture shaft of humerus: an outcome analysis

Background Humerus shaft fractures account for 3% of all orthopaedic injuries. Many modalities of treatment are available. Conservative treatment has been the mainstay of treatment. But now due to improvements in anaesthesia, implant design many patients having fracture shaft of humerus are operated.

Methods We compared the operative and non operative modalities of treatment in this prospective randomised controlled trial. In 40 patients, twenty patients were treated surgically and twenty were treated non surgically between May 2012 to June 2014 in Hindu Rao Hospital, New Delhi.

Results Our results show faster union in non-operative patients but functional DASH scores are significantly better in operated patients. Complications are comparable in both groups.

Conclusions Operative treatment for fracture shaft humerus gives better functional results in this study. Dynamic compression plating of humerus is better method than conservative method and avoids prolonged immobilization. Larger multicentric trials comparing functional cast bracing and plating are needed.