Preliminary clinical experience with a new fluted humeral nail.

The early clinical results of humeral nailing using a fluted intramedullary nail with a locking screw are reported. The True-Flex nail has been designed with a proximal cancellous screw to prevent 'back-tracking' and with flutes to give rotational control. The design features have proved to be successful in the authors' brief clinical experience in 12 patients with complicated fractures, non-unions or pathological lesions. Eight of the 10 fractures healed uneventfully, one by delayed union; one had to be revised because of loosening due to use of a nail which was too narrow. There were no serious complications. Return of function in the arm was good. This humeral nail may be suitable for fixation of some complicated and difficult fractures and lesions of the humeral shaft.