Five cases of fracture-separation of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus are recorded. A method of reduction and immobilisation is described, and the literature is reviewed

1. It appears that fracture of the humeral shaft occurs more often in persons over fifty. This incidence corresponds with that found in a study carried out by the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society in 1959. 2. The middle third of the bone is the most vulnerable portion of the shaft, where transverse fracture and radial nerve palsy most commonly occur. 3. Most fractures of the shaft of the humerus are best treated by simple splintage. The degree of radiological deformity that can be accepted is far greater than in other long bones. In this group anterior bowing of 20 degrees or varus of 30 degrees was present before it became clinically obvious and even then the function of the limb was good. 4. Internal fixation is only occasionally indicated but operation on the middle third of the bone increased the chances of delayed union. 5. In the treatment of delayed union intramedullary fixation and the application of slivers of iliac bone is effective in stimulating the fracture to join

This study aimed to evaluate the use of pin leverage in the reduction of Gartland type III supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. The study comprised 95 children, who were split into three groups according to the type of method of reduction used. Group 1, had an open reduction, group 2, had closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation and group 3, the pin leverage technique. Each group was analysed according to the time to surgery, the duration of the procedure, the incidence of complications, and the clinical and radiological outcome. The mean duration of the operative procedure in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 119 minutes (80 to 235), 57 minutes (20 to 110) and 68 minutes (30 to 90), respectively. At a mean follow-up of 30 months (12 to 63) the clinical results were declared excellent or good in all children and the radiological results intermediate in five patients in group 2. The results of the closed reduction using the pin leverage technique was classified as failure in two children. Our findings lead us to believe that the pin leverage method of reduction gives good results in the treatment of Gartland type III fractures

1. A review of ten cases of T-shaped intercondylar fractures of the humerus treated with a sling and early movement is presented. 2. The method and the results are discussed and some comparison is made with other series. 3. This method of treatment has certain advantages and the results are reasonable in comparison with those of other methods

We assessed the intermediate functional results of eight patients after wide resection of the proximal humerus for malignant bone tumour. We used a free vascularised fibular graft as a functional spacer and a sling procedure to preserve passive scapulohumeral movement. Scapulohumeral arthrodesis was not carried out. Five patients had osteosarcoma, two achondrosarcoma and one a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the bone. The mean duration of follow-up was 70 months (median, 76) for the seven patients who were still alive at the time of the latest follow-up. One patient died from the disease 12 months after surgery. There were no local recurrences. The functional results were described and graded quantitatively according to the rating system of the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society. Our results were satisfactory with regard to pain, emotional acceptance and manual dexterity. Function and lifting ability were unsatisfactory in two patients. One patient had delayed union between host and graft, but this united after six months without further surgery. Radiographs of the shoulder showed absorption or collapse of the head of the fibula in four of the eight patients and a fracture in another. No functional problems related to absorption or fracture of the head of the fibula were noted. There was no infection or subluxation of the head. We conclude that this is a reasonably effective technique of limb salvage after resection of the proximal humerus

We reviewed 39 patients with displaced three- and four-part fractures of the humerus. In 21 patients (group A) we had used an anatomical prosthesis for the humeral head and in 18 (group B) an implant designed for fractures. When followed up at a mean of 29.3 months after surgery the overall Constant score was 51.9 points; in group A it was 51.5 and in group B 52.4 points. The subjective satisfaction of the patients was assessed using a numerical rating scale and was similar in both groups. In group A complete healing of the tuberosities was found in 29% and 50% in group B. Partial integration was seen in 29% of group A and in only one patient in group B, while resorption was noted in 43% of group A and 44% of group B. The functional outcome was significantly better in patients with complete or partial healing of the tuberosities (p = 0.022). The specific trauma prosthesis did not lead to better healing of the tuberosities. The difference in clinical outcome obtained by the two designs did not reach statistical significance

1. Thirteen cases of non-union of the epiphysis of the lateral condyle of the humerus were studied. Ten followed minor lateral luxations of the epiphysis; three were sequelae of open reduction and soft-tissue suture of major displacements. 2. In three cases in which non-union developed while the patient was under observation, union was secured after bone grafting by a technique described

A retrospective study was performed in 18 patients with achondroplasia, who underwent bilateral humeral lengthening between 2001 and 2013, using monorail external fixators. The mean age was ten years (six to 15) and the mean follow-up was 40 months (12 to 104).

The mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score fell from 32.3 (20 to 40) pre-operatively to 9.4 (6 to 14) post-operatively (p = 0.037). A mean lengthening of 60% (40% to 95%) was required to reach the goal of independent perineal hygiene. One patient developed early consolidation, and fractures occurred in the regenerate bone of four humeri in three patients. There were three transient radial nerve palsies.

Humeral lengthening increases the independence of people with achondroplasia and is not just a cosmetic procedure.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1577–81.

An elderly woman presented with a pathological fracture of the right humerus. Progressive dissolution of the shaft of this bone took place over six months. No cause could be established and the patient refused biopsy. With only simple splintage for treatment the humeral shaft gradually reformed and re-ossified over a period of two years. The patient has been under review for four and a half years and no further pathology has come to light. The cause of the osteolysis remains obscure

We have undertaken a five-year prospective study of 126 translated two-part fractures of the proximal humerus and present an analysis of the epidemiology and of the factors which affect outcome in elderly patients. The fracture has a unimodal age distribution and rarely affects adults under the age of 50 years. Analysis showed that patients with two-part translated fractures of the surgical neck tended to be independent and relatively fit, despite the fact that their mean age was 72 years. Outcome was determined by the age of each patient and the degree of translation on the initial anteroposterior radiograph. Surgery did not improve the outcome, regardless of the degree of translation

We treated 22 children with a supracondylar fracture of the humerus and an ipsilateral fracture of the forearm by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. There were four Gartland type-II and 18 Gartland type-III supracondylar fractures of the humerus. There were fractures of both bones of the forearm in 16 and of the radius in six. Both the supracondylar and the distal forearm fractures were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. The mean follow-up time was 38.6 months. At the latest follow-up there were 21 excellent or good results and one fair result. There were no cases of delayed union, nonunion or malunion. Five nerve injuries were diagnosed on admission and all recovered spontaneously within eight weeks. No patient developed a compartment syndrome

1. Fifty-nine patients with fractures of the medial epicondyle of the humerus have been reviewed, of whom more than one-third also had a dislocation of the elbow. 2. The final disability has been shown to be very slight. Non-union occurs very often with conservative treatment, but gives no disability. Union can be obtained by fixation with a Pidcock pin. 3. Operative treatment is advised only when the fragment is included in the joint. It is suggested that the best position of the elbow in patients treated conservatively is about 60 degrees below the right angle

The treatment of multifragmentary, intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus is difficult, even in young patients with bone of good quality, but is worse in elderly patients who have varying degrees of osteopenia. We have evaluated the functional outcome of primary total elbow replacement (TER) in the treatment of these fractures in ten elderly patients followed for a minimum of one year. There were no complications in regard to the soft tissues, bone or prosthesis. The mean range of flexion obtained was 125° (110 to 140) and loss of extension was 23.5° (0 to 50). The mean Mayo score was 94 points (80 to 100) and patient satisfaction was high. We feel that TER provides an alternative to open reduction and internal fixation in the management of these complicated fractures in the elderly

Existing classifications of fractures of the head of the humerus are inadequate in terms of interobserver reliability and the predictability of the clinical outcome. From a combined study of 73 fracture specimens in museums and 84 CT-three-dimensional reconstructions in patients, we have devised a classification which appears to be more useful clinically. Common patterns of fracture and a plausible mechanism of injury were observed. In 3-D most proximal humeral fractures can be organised into five basic types. These correspond in some degree to the Codman/Neer classification, but differ significantly in regard to the more complex patterns of fracture. We observed a logical progression from simple to complex fractures. An interobserver reliability study was carried out which indicated the improved usefulness of this new 3-D concept in providing a common language among clinicians for classifying these injuries. When surgery is indicated, the 3-D concept is also invaluable in guiding the restitution of anatomy through either open or percutaneous means

We used the Ilizarov circular external fixator to treat 16 patients with persistent nonunion of the diaphysis of the humerus despite surgical treatment. All patients had pain and severe functional impairment of the affected arm. In ten, nonunion followed intramedullary nailing. We successfully treated these by a closed technique. The nail was left in place and the fracture compressed over it. The fractures of the other six patients had previously been fixed by various methods. We explored these nonunions, removed the fixation devices and excised fibrous tissue and dead bone before stabilising with the Ilizarov fixator. In five patients union was achieved. Bone grafting was not required. In the single patient in whom treatment failed, there had been a severely comminuted open fracture. All except one patient had reduction of pain, and all reported an improvement in function

A woman with neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) presented with a giant plexiform neuroma of the arm and chest wall, with dysplastic scoliosis and a pseudarthrosis of the humerus. Her arm resembled that of the "Elephant Man" described by Sir Frederick Treves

Four cases are shown to illustrate remodelling of the lower end of the humerus after supracondylar fractures with displacement in childhood. Remodelling is rapid and will restore almost normal anatomy and good function even with severely displaced fractures. The results are much better than in many cases treated by open reduction

There is a specific type of displaced four-part fracture of the proximal humerus which consists of valgus impaction of the head fragment; this deserves special consideration because the rate of avascular necrosis is lower than that of other displaced four-part fractures. Using either closed reduction or limited open reduction and minimal internal fixation, 74% satisfactory results can be achieved in this injury

We performed an audit of 71 children with consecutive displaced, extension-type supracondylar fractures of the humerus over a period of 30 months. The fractures were classified according to the Wilkins modification of the Gartland system. There were 29 type IIA, 22 type IIB and 20 type III. We assessed the effectiveness of guidelines proposed after a previous four-year review of 83 supracondylar fractures. These recommended that: 1) an experienced surgeon should be responsible for the initial management; 2) closed or open reduction of type-IIB and type-III fractures must be supplemented by stabilisation with Kirschner (K-) wires; and 3) K-wires of adequate thickness (1.6 mm) must be used in a crossed configuration. The guidelines were followed in 52 of the 71 cases. When they were observed there were no reoperations and no malunion. In 19 children in whom they had not been observed more than one-third required further operation and six had a varus deformity. Failure to institute treatment according to the guidelines led to an unsatisfactory result in 11 patients. When they were followed the result of treatment was much better. We have devised a protocol for the management of these difficult injuries

We reviewed 26 patients who had had internal fixation of an open intra-articular supracondylar fracture of the humerus. All operations were performed using a posterior approach, 13 with a triceps split and 13 with an olecranon osteotomy. The outcome was assessed by means of the Mayo Elbow score, the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and the SF-36 Physical Function score. Patients with an olecranon osteotomy had less good results