Non-operative treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft: a comparative study.

Forty cases of diaphyseal fracture of humerus were treated by functional cast bracing (FCB). Results were compared with a series of 25 patients treated by U cast method. Average time taken for union was 7.5 weeks with a range of 5-14 weeks by FCB method. Fractures treated by U cast method took on an average 10 weeks to unite. Stiffness at shoulder and elbow was uniformly found in patients treated by U cast. More than 50% patients had varus angulation less than 5 degrees after treatment by FCB. Only 16% had varus angulation less than 5 degrees by U cast method while 32% had varus angulation more than 15 degrees. FCB is distinctly superior method of treatment for diaphyseal fracture of humerus.