A comparison of the use of coaptation U-splintage and a polypropylene brace for humeral shaft fractures

Eighty- eight patients with humeral shaft fractures seen at Mulago hospital, Kampala, were randomly distributed into two groups. In a Group A, 58 patients were treated conservatively using a coaptation U-splint of plaster of Paris while 30 patients in Group B were treated with a humeral brace. There were more males than females (M: F; 1.75:1). Most patients (68%) were aged 18 years or over. Road traffic accidents accounted for 64% of the fractures. Four patients had associated radial nerve damage.
There was a statistically significant difference in fracture healing times between closed and open fractures but no statistically significant difference in healing was noted in those patients treated with coaptation U-splints and those with a humeral brace. Full recovery of flexion and extension of the elbow was shorter in patients treated with the humeral brace. Full recovery of flexion and extension of the elbow was shorter in patients treated with humeral brace (group B) than in U- splints ( group A) and the difference was statistically significant (p value <0.001). The functional humeral brace was found to be superior to the coaptation U-splint as regards functional results and is therefore recommended for those patients who can afford its use.