treatment outcome of intramedullary fixation with a locked rigid nail in humeral shaft fractures

  background: the aim of this study was to determine the treatment outcome of humeral shaft fractures with a locked rigid intramedullary nail in patients indicated for surgical treatment. methods: in this descriptive-cross sectional study, all patients were followed up for one, six, and 18 months post operatively. the short form questionnaire (sf-36) and constant shoulder score were applied. results: of 78 included patients (mean age: 35), one patient had a soft tissue infection, one had secondary radial nerve palsy, eight had non-union, one had elbow limited range of motion in extension, and three patients had decreased shoulder range of motion. the constant shoulder score and short form questionnaire score (sf-36) increased in all patients, although aged women showed lower improvement. conclusion: intramedullary nail fixation in the humeral shaft fracture may be associated with high rates of non-union.