Outcomes of nails versus plates for humeral shaft fractures: a Medicare cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study was performed to determine (1) the incidence of humeral shaft fractures within the Medicare noncancer population, (2) the trends in utilization of humeral shaft fixation techniques by plate-and-screw devices and intramedullary nails, (3) differences in procedure times, and (4) the outcomes of individuals as measured by rate of secondary operations and 1-year mortality.

Design/setting

Retrospective comparative cohort analysis. A cancer-free Medicare part B claims sample derived from a 5% sample from the years 1993 to 2007 was analyzed.

Patients/intervention

Our cohorts were generated by diagnostic and procedural codes for humeral shaft fractures.

Main outcome measurement

The incidence of humeral shaft fracture and trend in operative fixatio

SUBMITTER: Chen F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3399046 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature