Indian Journal of Orthopaedics Surgery 2023;9(3):132–146 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals Indian Journal of Orthopaedics Surgery Journal homepage: https://www.ijos.co.in/ Original Research Article Functional outcome of diaphyseal fractures of humerus in adults treated with closed interlocking nails: A prospective study Somnath Ghosh 1, *, Buddhadeb Nayak 1 , Dhananjoy Bera 1 , Swarnendu Samanta 1 1 Peerless Hospitex Hospital & BK Roy Research Centre, Kolkata, West Bengal, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 31-07-2022 Accepted 14-06-2023 Available online 04-09-2023 Keywords: Fracture Closed interlocking nail Functional study ABSTRACT Background: Diaphyseal fractures of humerus are common, representing 3% of all fractures and 20% of all humerus fractures. Though compression plate osteosynthesis is the gold standard, interlocking intramedullary nailing is also a reliable option. In this present study we evaluated the functional outcome of diaphyseal fractures of humerus treated with interlocking nails. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 patients with diaphyseal fractures of humerus, selected between October 2020 to May 2021 were managed by closed interlocking nail of humerus. This was a prospective study and all patients were followed up to a minimum of 6 months. The primary outcome measures were functional outcome assessed using DASH Score (The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder & Hand Score) & Constant-Murley scoring system respectively. Secondary outcomes were intra-operative conditions such as operative time and blood loss and post-operative complications. Results: The mean time of radiological union was 15.7 weeks ranging from 14-26 weeks. All 36 fractures were united including one delayed union which united at 26 weeks. In our series, 4 patients had post operative shoulder stiffness including one prominent nail, 1 patient developed radial nerve neuropraxia which recovered in 8 weeks. All patients were evaluated on the basis of Constant Murley score for shoulder function and DASH score. In our study of 36 patients 69.4% got excellent results, 19.4% got good results, 8.3% got moderate/fair results and 2.8% got poor results. Conclusion: Interlocking nailing is a relatively quick, minimally invasive, biomechanically sound, cosmetically better method of internal stabilization of shaft humerus fractures with less union time, less infection and lesser threat to radial nerve and other complications. Besides it allows early mobilization. With correct anatomical knowledge, preoperative planning, good surgical techniques and postoperative rehabilitation interlocking humeral nailing is a viable option in the management of fracture shaft humerus promising excellent outcome. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Humerus is a long tubular bone connecting scapula in the shoulder and radius and ulna in the elbow. The diaphysis is the expanse distal to surgical neck and proximal to supracondylar ridge. 1 * Corresponding author. E-mail address: ghoshsomnath3@gmail.com (S. Ghosh). Diaphyseal fractures of humerus are common, representing 3% of all fractures and 20% of all humerus fractures. 2,3 Age distribution is bimodal, first peak in 21 to 30 years age group, mostly young males due to high velocity trauma, and the second peak in 60 to 80 years age group, mostly older females due to trivial trauma. 4 Most diaphyseal fractures are closed and simple, 3% to 5% presenting as open and 8% as pathological. 5 https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijos.2023.028 2395-1354/© 2023 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 132