Nonunions of the Surgical Neck of the Humerus Treated With a Two-Tension Band Technique

Abstract

The combination of poor bone stock and excavation of the humeral head in surgical neck nonunions forms a surgical challenge often not amenable to standard screw and plate fixation. Key elements in the operative fixation are limited exposure, debridement, and impaction followed by minimal hardware relying on the soft tissue attachments of the rotator cuff. We have successfully used a 2 tension-band technique for these difficult problems that combines stable fixation with preservation of vascularity.