Amaç: Humerus diyafiz kırıklarının konservatif tedavisinde fonksiyonel breys uygulamasının kırık kaynaması ve fonksiyonel sonuçlar üzerine etkinliği değerlendirildi. Çalışma planı: Humerus diyafiz kırığı nedeniyle fonksiyonel breys uygulanan 38 hasta (21 erkek, 17 kadın; ort. yaş 34.8; dağılım 20-63) çalışmaya alındı. Kırıklar 23 olguda sağ, 15 olguda sol taraftaydı. Sekiz hastada radial paralizi saptandı. İki olguda açık kırık vardı (Gustilo tip IIIA). Kırıklar AO sistemine göre sınıflandırıldı. Buna göre, 12 hastada (%31.6) A1, 11 hastada (%29.0) A2 , 13 hastada (%34.2) A3, iki hastada (%5.3) B1 kırık vardı. Olgulara, ortalama 2.4 haftalık omuz ve dirsek eklemini içine alan tespit sonrası fonksiyonel breys uygulandı. Ortalama 48 ay (dağılım 16-64 ay) izlenen hastalar radyografik ve fonksiyonel olarak Kwasny ve ark.nın skorlama sistemine göre değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar: Tüm olgularda ortalama 11.4 haftada (dağılım 10-16 hafta) tam kaynama sağlandı. Kwasny ve ark.nın skorlamasına göre 31 hastada (%81.6) çok iyi, yedi hastada (%18.4) iyi sonuç elde edildi. Olgularda ortalama 0.8 cm (dağılım 0-1.8 cm) kısalık gelişti. Hiçbir hastada ön-arka planda 20°, yan planda 10 dereceden fazla açılanmayla karşılaşılmadı. Radial sinir paralizisi olan olgularda semptomların ortalama üçüncü ayda tam olarak düzeldiği gözlendi. Fonksiyonel breyslemeyle ilgili herhangi bir komplikasyonla karşılaşılmadı. Çıkarımlar: Konservatif tedavi seçilirken, düşük komplikasyon ve yüksek başarı oranıyla fonksiyonel breys uygulaması humerus diyafiz kırıklarında öncelikle düşünülmesi gereken bir yöntemdir.

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of functional bracing on union and functional results in the conservative treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures. Methods: The study included 38 patients (21 males, 17 females; mean age 34.8 years; range 20 to 63 years) who were treated with functional bracing for humeral diaphyseal fractures. The fractures were in the right in 23 patients, and in the left in 15 patients. Radial paralysis was detected in eight patients. Two patients had open fractures (Gustilo IIIA). According to the AO system, there were 12 AO type A1 (31.6%), 11 type A2 (29.0%), 13 type A3 (34.2%), and two type B1 (5.3%) fractures. Functional bracing was applied after a mean of 2.4 weeks of fixation of the shoulder and elbow. The radiographic and functional results were assessed using the scoring system of Kwasny et al. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 16 to 64 months). Results: Complete union was achieved in all the patients in a mean of 11.4 weeks (range 10 to 16 weeks). Radiographic and functional results were very good in 31 patients (81.6%) and good in seven patients (18.4%). A mean of 0.8 cm (range 0 to 1.8 cm) shortness developed after union. In none of the patients angulation exceeded 20 degrees in the anteroposterior plane and 10 degrees in the lateral plane. Complete healing was obtained in patients with radial paralysis within three months. No complications were encountered pertaining to functional bracing. Objectives: We evaluated the effect of functional bracing on union and functional results in the conservative treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures. Methods: The study included 38 patients (21 males, 17 females; mean age 34.8 years; range 20 to 63 years) who were treated with functional bracing for humeral diaphyseal fractures. The fractures were in the right in 23 patients, and in the left in 15 patients. Radial paralysis was detected in eight patients. Two patients had open fractures (Gustilo IIIA). According to the AO system, there were 12 AO type A1 (31.6%), 11 type A2 (29.0%), 13 type A3 (34.2%), and two type B1 (5.3%) fractures. Functional bracing was applied after a mean of 2.4 weeks of fixation of the shoulder and elbow. The radiographic and functional results were assessed using the scoring system of Kwasny et al. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 16 to 64 months). Results: Complete union was achieved in all the patients in a mean of 11.4 weeks (range 10 to 16 weeks). Radiographic and functional results were very good in 31 patients (81.6%) and good in seven patients (18.4%). A mean of 0.8 cm (range 0 to 1.8 cm) shortness developed after union. In none of the patients angulation exceeded 20 degrees in the anteroposterior plane and 10 degrees in the lateral plane. Complete healing was obtained in patients with radial paralysis within three months. No complications were encountered pertaining to functional bracing. Conclusion: When choosing conservative methods, functional bracing should be primarily considered in the treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures because of low complication but very high success rates.