This study was to evaluate the results and the usefulness of the plate fixation and the interlocking IM nailing for the humeral shaft fractures.

We have reviewed thirty cases of humeral shaft fractures, which were treated with plate fixation in seventeen cases and interlocking IM nailing in thirteen cases in period of February 1993 to May 1999. The Russel-Taylor nails were used in all cases for interlocking IM nailing. The clinical and the radiological results were evaluated after operation.

The average union time was 14.5 weeks for the plate fixation and 15.2 weeks for the interlocking IM nail respectively. There were two cases of wound infection and one case of radial nerve injury for the plate fixation, and two cases of rotator cuff injury on the shoulder were found after the interlocking IM nailing.

Interlocking IM nailing is a relatively simple procedure with low rate of infection and radial nerve injury, but rotator cuff injury is a considerable problem after operation.