Fractures of the humerus

Abstract

A single or double bar, type I, unilateral external fixator can be used as primary or ancillary treatment for repair of many humeral fractures. Treatment of contaminated and comminuted fractures with external skeletal fixation provides rotational stability and axial alignment, access for wound management and bone grafting, and avoidance of vascular compromise by surgical invasion. In addition, the combination of external and internal (IM pins, cerclage wires, plates) fixation can provide greater initial fracture stability and subsequent dynamization or loading of bone (as the fixator is removed) than either of the systems used individually.