Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical impact on the global function of the shoulder of the use of the anterolateral approach for nailing.

Material and methods:

A retrospective cohort at the public sector of Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo in Aguascalientes, Mexico between 2011 and 2016 was analysed. Inclusion criteria were: patients with anterolateral humeral nailing approach. Clinical assessment using the Constant-Murley score, shoulder range of motion and quick DASH questionnaire.

Results:

Seventeen patients, 16 treated for humeral shaft fracture and one for humeral fibrous dyslasia were obtained. Mean score on Constant-Murley scale was 84.05 with 76.4% of patients achieving excellent result (> 75 points). One patient had a poor functional outcome. The mean quickDASH score was 17.5 points.

Conclusions:

The anterolateral approach for humeral nailing has good functional outcome in our series.