Comparison of Plate Fixation and Intramedullary Nailing in Adult Humeral Shaft Fractures
Background: Plate osteosynthesis and locked intramedullary nailing are established operative options for adult humeral shaft fractures. Both provide reliable stabilization, but they differ in surgical exposure, blood loss, fluoroscopy use, shoulder morbidity, and risk to the radial nerve. This study compared radiological healing, functional recovery, perioperative variables, and complications following the two techniques. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Kakatiya Medical College, Hanumakonda, from April 2024 to March 2025. One hundred adults with acute humeral shaft fractures requiring operative fixation were enrolled, with 50 treated by open reduction and locking compression plate fixation and 50 by antegrade interlocking intramedullary nailing. Patients were reviewed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included time to radiological union, union rate, Constant-Murley score, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), shoulder abduction, operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopy exposure, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0.
Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Intramedullary nailing required less operative time (82.6 +/- 15.2 vs 101.8 +/- 17.5 minutes, p < 0.001) and less estimated blood loss (118 +/- 40 vs 189 +/- 52 mL, p < 0.001), but greater fluoroscopy exposure (21.5 +/- 5.6 vs 7.2 +/- 2.0 images, p < 0.001). Mean union time was shorter after plating (16.3 +/- 3.2 vs 17.8 +/- 3.8 weeks, p = 0.038), whereas union by 24 weeks was similar (94% vs 90%, p = 0.461). At 6 months, the plate group had a lower DASH score (8.7 +/- 5.6 vs 13.2 +/- 7.1, p = 0.001), higher Constant-Murley score (88.6 +/- 7.4 vs 81.9 +/- 9.2, p < 0.001), and greater shoulder abduction (154 +/- 15 vs 142 +/- 18 degrees, p < 0.001). Shoulder pain or impingement was more frequent after nailing (18% vs 4%, chi-square = 5.01, p = 0.025). Iatrogenic radial nerve palsy occurred more often after plating, although the difference was not statistically significant (8% vs 2%, p = 0.169). Conclusion: Both techniques produced high union rates. Intramedullary nailing offered shorter surgery and lower blood loss, whereas plate fixation provided earlier radiological union and better shoulder-related function at 6 months. Implant choice should be individualized according to fracture location and morphology, soft-tissue condition, shoulder status, neurological findings, and surgical expertise.