Radial head fracture | |
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Radial head fracture (red arrow) with posterior and anterior sail sign (blue arrows) | |
Specialty | Orthopedic |
Symptoms | Pain or tenderness over the radial head; bruising; swelling; limited range of motion. |
Causes | Fall on an outstretched arm |
Diagnostic method | Based on of clinical symptoms and medical imaging |
Treatment | Varies according to severity of injury but may include: immobilization followed by range of motion exercises; joint aspiration with mobilization; surgical correction |
Radial head fractures are a common type of elbow fracture that typically occurs after a fall on an outstretched arm.[1] They account for approximately one third of all elbow fractures and are frequently associated with other injuries of the elbow.[2][3] Radial head fractures are diagnosed by a clinical assessment and medical imaging.[2][4] A radial head fracture is treated according to the severity of the injury and its Mason-Johnston classification. Treatment may be surgical or nonsurgical. Stable isolated fractures typically have excellent outcomes.[5] Unstable fractures with other associated injuries have varying outcomes. Common adverse outcomes include stiffness, pain, poor bone healing, and hardware complications.[6]
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