Humeral shaft fractures. Treatment with a simple hand sling.

Complications of operative treatment of closed fractures of the shaft of the humerus occur in about 12 per cent of cases. Fixation of the arm in some form of cast gives better results but the complication rate is still 5.5 per cent and there is a risk of shoulder-hand-finger syndrome. In order to minimize these complications the author treated patients with humeral shaft fractures by supporting the hand only, in a simple sling. The method is described and its advantages discussed. All the fractures, including transverse ones, united in 3 to 6 weeks without any serious complications.