Effectiveness of the Functional Brace and Therapeutic Exercise Program in the Conservative Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fractures in Chon Buri Hospital-ประสิทธิภาพของการใช้กายอุปกรณ์เสริมกระดูกต้นแขนส่วน shaft หัก ร่วมกับโปรแกรมการออกกำลังกายเพื่อการบำบัดในการรักษาแบบประคับประคองสำหรับผู้ป่วยกระดูกต้นแขนส่วน shaft หัก ในโรงพยาบาลชลบุรี

Abstract

         The objectives of this longitudinal descriptive study were to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriate applicability of the functional brace and therapeutic exercise program on union and functional results in the conservative treatment of humeral shaft fractures in Chon Buri Hospital.

        The study included 18 patients (14 males, 4 females; mean age 35.4 years; range 11 to 64 years) who were treated with functional bracing for humeral shaft fractures. All fractures were closed. The fractures were in the right in 12 patients, and in the left in 6 patients. Functional bracing was applied after a median of 17 days of fixation of the shoulder and elbow in U-slab. (range 10 days to 3 months). The radiographic and functional results were assessed using modified Wasmer score. The mean follow-up was 21.2 weeks (range 16 to 24 weeks). Complete union was achieved in all the patients, on average, in 11.5 weeks (range 10-16 weeks). A mean of 0.9 cm. (range 0-1.7 cm.) shortness developed after union. A mean angulation were 6 degrees in anteroposterior plane and 5 degrees in lateral plane. The functional results were excellent in 14 patients (77.8%) and good in 4 patients (22.2%). No complications were encountered pertaining to functional bracing with very good compliance. In conclusion; when choosing conservative methods, functional bracing should be primarily considered in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures because of low complications but very high success rates and very good compliance.

Key words: humeral shaft fractures, functional brace, therapeutic exercise, conservative treatment