Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39954203›Full record

ArticleIrish journal of medical science2025

A radiographic analysis of humerus shaft fractures to predict non-union.

Alexander Price, Conor O'Driscoll, Nicolaas Kotze, Danilo Vukanic, Petr Jemelik, May Cleary, David O'Briain

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Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Alexander PriceDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland. alexanderprice23@rcsi.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6056-1964
Conor O'DriscollDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.
Nicolaas KotzeDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.
Danilo VukanicDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.
Petr JemelikDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.
May ClearyDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.
David O'BriainDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, X91ER8E, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHumeral shaft fracture non-union rates of up to 33% have been reported when managed non-operatively. When managed surgically, non-union rates of 10% have been seen. The initial radiographic displacement parameters may be of significance in determining whether non-operative treatment might fail.

aimsTo determine whether the initial radiographic displacement of humeral shaft fractures can predict non-union rates and assist in decision-making for surgical intervention.

methodsA retrospective cohort study was performed to identify all patients with humeral shaft fractures presenting to a regional trauma centre over a three-year period. Three-observer measurements were taken on defined radiographic parameters. These were compared between groups treated successfully with surgery and with non-operative intervention. A subset group was identified who failed non-operative treatment and required delayed surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether the group that failed non-operative treatment met the proposed radiographic parameters predicting treatment failure.

resultsEighty patients were identified over the defined three-year period. Failure of non-operative management occurred in 6/43 (13.95%) patients. Failed conservative treatment was associated with increased age, female gender, and increased AP translation of lateral radiographs. Fractures successfully treated non-operatively showed a significantly lower AP translation on the lateral radiographs compared to patients who failed non-operative treatment 9.69 mm (IQR 4.90-14.05 mm) versus 22.61 mm (IQR 15.73-23.83 mm), p-value = 0.042.

conclusionSignificant initial AP displacement may be associated with failure of non-operative management. This study highlights the importance of initial radiographic parameters of displacement in predicting possible failure of non-operative management for midshaft humerus fractures.

Indexed as

Fractures, UnunitedHumeral FracturesAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRadiographyRetrospective StudiesTreatment FailureConservative treatmentDisplacementFracturesNon-unionSurgery

Identifiers

PMID39954203
PMCPMC12031971

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