Treatment of delayed and nonunions of the humeral shaft using the Seidel locking nail: a preliminary report of five cases.

We report the treatment of five cases of delayed/or nonunions of the humerous using the Seidel locking nail. Union occurred in all cases despite two distal unscrewings. Shoulder motion was pain free, with slightly restricted abduction. No subacromial impingement occurred. Elbow motion was slightly limited in extension in two elderly patients, most likely because of previous immobilization. This method of treatment therefore seems to be of value because it avoids iatrogenic risk to the radial nerve and the possible need for bone grafting.