Cast Brace for Humeral Fractures Wheeless

Description: components of a well designed cast brace include an anterior component w/ a bicipital contour and a posterior component w/ a flat mold for the triceps;
- velcro straps maintain adequate compression;
- in closed humeral shaft fractures involving the middle or proximal thirds, about 95% of patients were satisfied w/ non operative treatment, but only about 2/3 will be pain free at work or w/ ADL's;
- non unions may occur in about 5% of patients;
- main indications:
- closed humeral frx w/ spiral or oblique configuration which occur in the mid or proximal humerus;
- relative contra-indications:
- open humeral frx;
- distal 1/3 humeral frx
- non compliant patients or patients who are demented;
- morbid obesity;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics