Early Full Range of Shoulder and Elbow Motion is Possible After Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Humeral Shaft Fractures

Objectives: To measure the speed of full shoulder and elbow range of motion recovery following minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for humeral shaft fractures. Setting: University Hospital. Patients: From March 2005 to July 2007, 14 consecutive patients with closed humeral shaft fractures underwent surgery by a single surgeon. Intervention: The MIPO technique involved proximal deltobicipital incision and distal brachialis-splitting incision. A narrow locking 4.5/5.0-mm compression plate was applied percutaneously on the anterior surface of the humerus. Main Outcome Measurements: The intervals between operation date and the day when range of motion recovered to normal in the shoulder and elbow joint. Results: Median time to normal motion recovery was 19 days in the shoulder, and 60 days in the elbow. Conclusions: MIPO is a promising option for humeral shaft fractures because of the early recovery of motion in adjacent joints. Elbow function requires longer recovery time than the shoulder, and this may be due to the distal approach.