Delayed union of humeral shaft fractures: comparison of autograft with and without platelet-rich plasma treatment: a randomized, single blinded clinical trial.
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INTRODUCTION:
Despite an adequate orthopedic treatment with functional bracing, some patients develop a delayed union in humeral shaft fractures. The objective of the present study was to determine the bone consolidation time among patients with delayed union of diaphyseal humeral fractures who were managed with locking compression plate (LCP) fixation combined with an iliac crest autograft using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a co-adjuvant.
RESULTS:
A total of 16 patients were included. Both groups had similar demographic characteristics. The patients treated with PRP had an earlier beginning of bone consolidation. Furthermore, these same patients exhibited bone consolidation at 19.9 weeks, on average, in contrast to 25.4 weeks in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS:
The use of PRP promotes earlier bone consolidation in patients with delayed union of the humeral shaft.