Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41023676›Full record

ArticleJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025

Helical plating yields better outcomes than intramedullary nailing or long straight lateral plating for humeral shaft fractures extending to the proximal humerus.

Xiaolong Wang, Xin Zhang, Yuxuan Jiang, Haifeng Qiao, Xiaomin Kang, Yangjun Zhu, Yan Zhang, Dongxu Feng

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Xiaolong Wang *Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.
Xin Zhang *Department of Geriatric Neurology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 722300, Shaanxi, China.
Yuxuan JiangDepartment of Orthopaedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.
Haifeng QiaoDepartment of Orthopaedics, Shihezi Economic and Technological Development Zone Hospital, Shihezi, 83200, Xinjiang, China.
Xiaomin KangCenter for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
Yangjun ZhuDepartment of Orthopaedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.
Yan ZhangCenter for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China. zhangyan1114@xjtu.edu.cn.
Dongxu FengDepartment of Orthopaedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China. fengdongxu5210@163.com.

Funding

Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province 2024JC-YBMS-697Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province 2025JC-YBMS-879
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study was performed to compare the operative clinical outcomes of helical plating, intramedullary nailing (IMN), and long straight lateral plating in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures extending into the proximal humerus, as well as to identify the optimal fixation strategy for managing such injuries.

methodsIn total, 81 patients with humeral shaft fractures extending into the proximal humerus were divided into three groups based on treatment strategy: helical plating (Group A, n = 16), IMN (Group B, n = 12), and long straight lateral plating (Group C, n = 53). Preoperative demographic data and imaging were collected from the medical records. Operative time, blood transfusion, bone reduction quality, bone healing rate, and incidence of complications were recorded. Clinical evaluation included the Constant-Murley score for shoulder function, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire for upper limb function, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and assessments of shoulder stiffness or instability and patient satisfaction.

resultsCompared with Groups A and C, patients in Group B had a longer operative time and lower blood transfusion requirements. More than 80% of patients in each group achieved bone reduction quality rated as "better than good." There were no significant differences among the three groups in operative time, blood transfusion, or shaft angulation. Bone healing rates were 100%, 91.7%, and 94.3% in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Mean shoulder flexion was 155.0°, 130.0°, and 150.0°, respectively. Functional outcomes, including the Constant-Murley score, DASH score, VAS score, and patient satisfaction, were significantly better in Group A than in Groups B and C. No complications occurred in Group A. One patient in Group B developed nonunion. In Group C, complications were observed in five patients (9.4%).

conclusionIn the treatment of humeral shaft fractures extending into the proximal humerus, helical plating was associated with a higher bone union rate, better functional outcomes, and a lower postoperative complication rate compared with IMN or long straight lateral locking plates. Outcomes after nailing and long straight lateral plating were similar.

Indexed as

Bone PlatesFracture Fixation, InternalFracture Fixation, IntramedullaryHumeral FracturesShoulder FracturesAdultAgedBone NailsFemaleFracture HealingHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultHelical platingHumeral shaft fractures extending to the proximal humerusIntramedullary nailingLong straight lateral platingOpen reduction and internal fixation

Identifiers

PMID41023676
PMCPMC12482586

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.