Case Study
Year: 2020 | Month: October | Volume: 10 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 109-113
A Novel Fracture Bracing for Humeral Diaphyseal Fracture Associated with Radial Nerve Palsy
Bapina Kumar Rout1, Jegadeesh M2
1Master in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Assistant Professor (Prosthetics and Orthotics), ISHWAR Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics, AA-23, 3rd Street, 3rd Main Road, Annanagar, Chennai-600040
2Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Clinical Prosthetist and Orthotist, Ottobock, Chennai, India
Corresponding Author: Bapina Kumar Rout
ABSTRACT
Background: widely accepted treatment of humeral diaphyseal fracture is functional fracture bracing but the results are inconsistent in the presence of an associated radial nerve palsy complication.
Objective: to design a new functional fracture bracing that would combinedly address the humeral fracture along with the associated radial nerve palsy complication.
Study design: a prospective observational study.
Methods: Site of the fracture was identified and an adjustable humeral sleeve made up of orthograde polymer ranging below the acromion to well above the humeral epicondyle was fabricated. A dorsal cockup splint for radial nerve palsy ranged just below the elbow to MTP joint. Both the portions were hinged together at elbow joint to act as a single unit. The patient was followed prospectively for12 weeks and adjacent joint range of motion and hand grip strength were recorded.
Result: At the end of 12th week fracture had united, shoulder and elbow joint range of motion recovered to 90-98% when compared to the normal side and gradual recovery of hand grip strength reached to 47kg (same as the normal side).
Conclusion: associated radial nerve palsy can be managed conservatively along with the primary humeral diaphyseal fracture by this new functional fracture bracing.
Key words: Humeral fracture bracing, Functional Fracture Bracing, Conservative fracture treatment.