Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of the single-stage surgical treatment with locking compression plates (LCPs) and autologous bone grafting in patients with aseptic non-union of the humerus.
Methods: Twenty-four patients (17 males; mean age: 43.5 years) treated with LCPs and autologous bone grafts due to non-union following humeral fractures were included in this study. Twelve patients had earlier been treated surgically while the remaining 12 had received non-surgical (conservative) treatment. Six patients had atrophic and 18 had oligotrophic non-unions. Functional evaluation was made using the Constant-Murley scoring system.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 43.6 months. Radiological union was observed in all patients except one (95.2%) in an average period of 18.8 weeks. A mean shortening of 1.8 cm was performed on six patients with atrophic non-union. The preoperative infection markers and intraoperative cultures were negative for infection. Four patients experienced delayed unions and one patient had transient radial nerve palsy. Ten patients had excellent, 12 had good, and two had fair scores.
Conclusion: The management of humeral non-unions with single-stage surgical intervention performed using LCPs and autologous bone grafts, following adequate debridement, is an effective method with satisfactory radiological and clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.
Keywords: Autograft; humerus; LCP; non-union; shaft.

Key words: Autograft; humerus; LCP; non-union; shaft.

Article Language: Turkish English