Operative Treatment of Humerus Nonunion after Surgery

Kwon, Jin Woo; Shin, Sung Ho; Sung, Ki Ho; Kim, Dong Jun; Moon, Sang Ho; Kong, Kyu Min; Park, Chan Hwi

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyze the cause and treatment method of humerus nonunions which were initially treated by operation. The causes of nonunion were analyzed according to the initial treatment method. We report upon treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 15 cases of humerus nonunion, which were initially treated surgically (7 cases of dynamic compression plate, 4 of Ender nail, 3 of interlocking intramedullary nail, 1 of K-wire) from January 1992 to January 2001. RESULTS: The causes of nonunion were determined to be as follows ; inadequate internal fixation or technical failure (9 cases), postoperatively applied improper external immobilization (5 cases), inadequate choice of implant (1 case). We treated the nonunion as follows; dynamic compression plate and bone graft in 11 cases, intramedullary nailing with small plate augumentation and bone graft in two, maintenance of initial nail with small plate augumentation and bone graft in two. All cases had bone union at an average of 15.9 weeks without complications, such as osteomyelitis, radial nerve palsy, or joint stiffness. CONCLUSION: Plate fixation is considered to be superior to intramedullary fixation in the treatment of nonunion. However, cases that received interlocking intramedullary nailing can be treated easily with small plate augumentation and bone graft without initial nail removal.