The use of locked nails in the treatment of humeral shaft: delayed union and nonunion.

OBJECTIVES To assess the results and clinical outcome of delayed union and nonunion humeral shaft treatment using locked medullary nails. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The Russel and Taylor humeral locking nail was used to treat 21 patients with humeral shaft fractures at Al Razi hospital, Kuwait, from 1997 to 2001. Of these, 8 had delayed union and 13 nonunion. Also, 13 had previous operative treatment, while 8 had nonoperative treatment. Antegrade nailing was done in all cases, and all nails were fixed statically. Autogenous iliac bone grafts were used in 17 cases. RESULTS Of the 21 cases of fractures, 19 were united. Only 2 cases had persistent nonunion. Eighteen cases had satisfactory shoulder function, and 3 lost shoulder abduction between 40 and 65 degrees. CONCLUSION Our data showed that humeral locked nails can achieve satisfactory clinical results in treating humeral shaft delayed unions and nonunions.