Treatment of un-united fractures of the shaft of the humerus with bent nail

Summary The results of operative treatment of 78 cases of un-united fractures of the humeral diaphysis are reported. The operation consisted of medullary nail fixation, the nail being bent at the fracture site in order to engage the cortex above and below the fracture, and was followed by plaster splintage. Forty-nine cases showed evidence of union within 20 weeks and 21 united between 20 and 30 weeks. Of the remaining cases, two had broken nails and five were lost to follow-up.