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Fracture, Radial Head, Sports Medicine

Ryan C. Fowler, MD, CAQSM and Keith A. Stuessi, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

As classified by modified Mason classification (Johnston adding type IV, Morey adding displacement and percentage affected for type II, and Rineer trying to establish stability for type II): 
  • Ty...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Determining the mechanism of injury is extremely helpful in differentiating from other elbow fractures. The typical mechanism of injury is a fall onto an outstretched hand in a pronat...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Aspiration alone may provide some pain relief versus aspiration with local anesthetic instillation 3[A].

  • Type I:

    • Treated nonoperatively 4[A]

    • Sling for pain control for 48 hr and...

ONGOING CARE

  • Contractures and loss of motion may develop if early active ROM is not initiated.

  • Increased sensitivity to cold, which may persist for up to 1 yr

  • Long-term pain is rarely a complication.

  • Non...

REFERENCES

1
Kodde IF, Kaas L, Flipsen M, et al. Current concepts in the management of radial head fractures. World J Orthop.  2015;6(11):954–960.
2
Jordan RW, Jones AD. Radial head fractures. Open ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Akesson T, Herbertsson P, Josefsson PO, et al. Primary nonoperative treatment of moderately displaced two-part fractures of the radial head. J Bone Joint Surg Am.  2006;88(9):1...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • In type I fractures, typically, athletes can return to play as early as 6 to 8 wk, depending on pain, ROM, and strength.

  • Protection of the elbow may be needed if returning to contact sp...

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