Failure of Plate Fixation of Humeral Shaft Fractures

Failure of plate osteosynthesis of humeral shaft fractures could be due to several factors. Lack of adequate mechanical stability is one of them as the humeral shaft is an anatomical area subjected to great displacing forces, particularly torsion, which must be effectively counteracted by a stable fixation until fracture union occurs. Herein, we report on a fixation failure of a humeral shaft fracture stabilized with plating and discuss the etiology of failure and subsequent treatment implemented.