A comparison of the use of coaptation U-splintage and a Polypropylene brace for humeral shaft fractures

Eighty-eight patients with humeral shaft fractures seen at Mulago hospital, Kampala, were randomly distributed into two groups. In Group A, 58 patients were treated conservatively using a coaptation U-splint of plaster of Paris while 30 patients in Group B were treated with a humeral brace. There were more males than females (M:F;1.75:1). Most patients (680) were aged 18 years or over. Road traffic accidents accounted for 64% of the fractures. Four patients had associated radial nerve damage. There was a statistically significant difference in fracture healing times between closed and open fractures but no statistically significant difference in healing was noted in those patients treated with coaptation U-splints and those with a humeral brace. Full recovery of flexion and extension of the elbow was shorter in patients treated with the humeral brace (Group R) than in U-splints (Group A) and the difference was statistically significant (p value < 0.001). The functional humeral brace was found to be superior to the coaptation U-splint as regards functional results and is therefore recommended for those patients who can afford its use. Keywords: Humeral fractures, treatment, U-Splint, brace