Treatment of osteopenic humeral shaft nonunion with compression plating, humeral cortical allograft struts, and bone grafting.

Abstract

Surgical stabilization of humeral shaft nonunions can be difficult to achieve if severe osteopenia or loss of bone stock is present. We present a technique whereby a 4.5-mm standard dynamic compression plate is used in conjunction with a humeral cortical allograft strut and bone grafting to stabilize humeral shaft nonunions complicated by severe bone loss. Six patients with established nonunion of the humeral shaft underwent this technique. Union was achieved at an average of 3.4 months (range 2-6 months). Our method using onlay allograft struts can provide an effective alternative in the management of humeral shaft nonunion complicated by severe osteopenia of various etiologies.