Functional bracing for comminuted extra-articular fractures of the distal
third of the humerus [published erratum appears in J Bone Joint Surg Br Sarmiento A. Horowitch A. Aboulafia A. Vangsness CT Jr. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California School of 1990 Jul;72(4):752]. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 72(2):283-7, 1990 Mar. From 1982 to 1987 we treated 85 extra-articular comminuted distal third humeral fractures in adults with prefabricated plastic braces. Of these, 15% were open fractures and 18% had initial peripheral nerve injury. On average, the sleeve was applied 12 days after injury and used for 10 weeks. There was 96% union, with no infections. All nerve injuries resolved or were improving at the latest examination. At union there was varus deformity averaging 9 degrees in 81% of patients, but loss of range of movement was minimal and functional results were good.
Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.
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