We retrospectively included all patients with displaced proximal and/or middle one-third humeral shaft fractures who were treated with a helical plate from October 2016 until August 2018 at a single level-1 trauma center (AZ Groeninge, Kortrijk, Belgium). In particular healing rates, complications and functional outcome measures.

This article aims to evaluate safety and functional outcomes of patients treated with a helical plate compared to conventional plate osteosynthesis. A helical plate has the potential to avoid an iatrogenic radial nerve palsy due to its design. To date, many surgical techniques have been developed in an attempt to minimize this high-impact complication. Nonetheless, this procedure can be complicated by a radial nerve palsy.

Conventional plate osteosynthesis is a valuable treatment option in displaced proximal and/or middle one-third humeral shaft fractures.