Atrophic Nonunion of Humeral DiaphysisTreated With Locking Plate andRecombinant Bone MorphogeheticProtein: Nine Cases

摘要

Nonunions of the humerus are debilitating for patients andchallenging for surgeons. We retrospectively reviewedour first 9 humeral nonunions treated with a locking plateand commercially available recombinant bone morpho-genetic protein. At latest follow-up, 8 patients showedclinical and radiographic signs of union. One patient hada persistent (11-year) nonunion that failed to unite at 1year, despite new bone formation, and underwent revi-sion with the same technique. The reported technique isa useful part of the surgeon's armamentarium in treatingdifficult humeral nonunions. We found a high union ratewith an acceptably low complication rate in this difficultpopulation.