Radial Head Fracture

A radial head fracture is the most common broken elbow bone seen in adults. This type of injury is most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand.

Radial head fractures are common injuries, occurring in about 20 percent of all acute elbow injuries. They are more frequent in women than in men and occur most often between 30 and 40 years of age. Approximately 10 percent of all elbow dislocations involve a fracture of the radial head.

Causes

Radial head fracture is generally caused by FOOSH with the elbow extended and the hand pronated or by a fall backward with the hand supinated.

Signs

• Pain and swelling over the radial head, which can be elicited by palpation of the elbow laterally with the thumb during supination and pronation. A concomitant wrist injury or mechanical block to supination should be investigated (may need surgery).

Treatment

Treatment of radial head fractures depends on the appearance of the fracture on x-ray. Radial head fractures that are not badly displaced can be treat by splinting the elbow for a short period of time.

More significantly displaced radial head fractures may require surgery for stabilization of the fracture, or possibly an excision of the radial head. Determining which type of treatment is appropriate depends on several factors including the number of bone fragments, injury to other bones and ligaments around the elbow, and activity level of the patient.