A comparative study of plating versus interlocking nail in fracture shaft humerus

This study is to compare the outcomes of each method of fixation i.e. plating and interlocking nailing for the patients with fracture shaft of humerus and to analysis statistically significant difference in the results of these two methods conducted during October 2020 to September 2022 among 20 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, follow up was done up to 9 months. The study of 20 patients of humerus shaft fracture fixed either with plate or interlocking nail showed postoperatively in the plating group there were 2 complications and in the interlocking group there were 6 cases with complications, healing rate is found to be good in the plating maximum time taken is ≤17 weeks and while interlocking more than half cases took ≥17 weeks, the average disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score in the plating group was 19.8 and in the interlocking group it was 44.6, among the 20 patients 5 had excellent results, 8 had good results, 5 had fair results, 2 had poor results. We conclude that both the modalities of treatment i.e., plating and interlocking nailing are good as far as union of the fracture is concerned, but considering the functional outcome and rate of complications, we are of the opinion that plating offers better result than interlocking nailing with respect to pain and function of the shoulder joint.