Comparison of Dynamic Compression Plate Versus Locking Compression Plate Used for Fixation of Humeral Shaft Fractures in Terms of Fracture Healing and Functional Outcome of Shoulder and Elbow Joint

AbstractObjective: To compare the fracture healing and functional outcome of the shoulder and elbow joint in fractures of the shaft of the humerus fixed with a dynamic compression plate versus a locking compression plate.Methodology: Atotal of 66 patients presenting in the Outpatient and Emergency Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, were categorized into two treatment groups by lottery method: Group A: Dynamic Compression Plate (n=33) and Group B: Locking Compression Plate (n=33). Modified Constant and Murley Scores and Mayo Elbow Performance Scores were evaluated at 16 and 24 weeks postoperatively.Results: Results revealed no significant difference in terms of fracture healing for treatment modalities th at the 24week of follow up i.e., DCP: 97% vs. LCP: 93.93%, p-value=0.554. Functional shoulder outcome showed a significant difference for both modalities (Modified Constant and Murley Score). 45.5% of patients in the DCPgroup had excellent while patients in the LCPgroup, 12.1% had excellent thoutcomes (p-value=0.016). At the 16week of follow-up in the DCPgroup, 66.7% of patients showed thgood and in the LCPgroup, only 33.3% of patients had good outcomes (p-value=0.015). At the 24follow-up week, 48.5 % of patients in the DCPgroup and 33.3% of patients in the LCPgroup had excellent elbow outcomes.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that DCPis more effective for treating humeral shaft fractures in terms of excellent shoulder and elbow functional outcomes when compared with LCP. However, both fixation devices did not show a statistically significant difference in union.Key Words: Fracture healing, humeral shaft fractures, dynamic compression plate, locking compression plate.