M.E.Müller: Atlas: Fracture 12-A3

Humerus, Diaphysis,
simple fracture, transverse (<30º) 0,43% of the total
5,93% of the humerus
26,76% of the segment

23 fractures 10% group 72%M, 26%F

172 fractures
74,1% group
67%M, 33%F

37 fractures 15,9% group
74%M, 26%F

Proximal section Middle section Distal section

These are simple diaphyseal fractures with a transverse fracture line (<30º), located at the middle third of the humerus. Ref. Manual of Internal Fixation:
104 - 105 (2ª edn.).
Surgeon. XG.

All of the statements made for the A2.2 subgroup are valid for the A3.2 since the characteristics of both subgroups are quite similar. The radiographical sequence of the illustrated case shows the perfect healing obtained by the internal fixation with Hackethal´s technique, but its real interest is the demonstration of the process of callus formation. All of the intramedullary nailings provide only relative stability of the fracture site, which can be sufficient or not in order to obtain the mechanical rest that is essential to attain the healing.

The limit is ambiguous and, in fact, it can be observed how the fracture site goes through a fibrocartilaginous phase during which an excesive loading, difficult to control in clinical practice, could make it evolve into a pseudoarthrosis.

A grossly tranverse fracture line, with its surface toothed like a saw, has a better prognosis than a linear fracture line because of its broader contact surface and the neutralization of the torsional loads by the interlocking of the fragments.

preoperative postoperative + 1 month + 2 months

+ 3 months + 5 months + 7 months + 9 months

preoperative + 0 month + 3 month

preoperative + 3 month + 3 month

+ 5 month + 6 month

preoperative 0 month + 1 month

+ 5 months + 5 months

preoperative + 1 month + 1 month

+ 1 year + 1 year




						Humerus, Diaphysis, simple fracture, transverse (<30º)	0,43% of the total 5,93% of the humerus 26,76% of the segment






These are simple diaphyseal fractures with a transverse fracture line (<30º), located at the middle third of the humerus.		Ref. Manual of Internal Fixation: 104 - 105 (2ª edn.). Surgeon. XG.

All of the statements made for the A2.2 subgroup are valid for the A3.2 since the characteristics of both subgroups are quite similar. The radiographical sequence of the illustrated case shows the perfect healing obtained by the internal fixation with Hackethal´s technique, but its real interest is the demonstration of the process of callus formation. All of the intramedullary nailings provide only relative stability of the fracture site, which can be sufficient or not in order to obtain the mechanical rest that is essential to attain the healing.	The limit is ambiguous and, in fact, it can be observed how the fracture site goes through a fibrocartilaginous phase during which an excesive loading, difficult to control in clinical practice, could make it evolve into a pseudoarthrosis. A grossly tranverse fracture line, with its surface toothed like a saw, has a better prognosis than a linear fracture line because of its broader contact surface and the neutralization of the torsional loads by the interlocking of the fragments.