The fractures of the radio head are common elbow injuries. Car accidents usually occur in falls, contact sports, or trauma. Its diagnosis is based on radiographic study and production mechanism. These fractures can vary from conservative treatment with early rehabilitation to surgical treatment with implantation of one or more Kirschner wires.
These fractures are usually caused by a fall on the palm in a different position than the elbow and pronosupination of the forearm. The elbow is subjected to forces caused by impact, displacing part or all of the radial dome that is blocked by the position of the elbow.
Do you want to know more about Radius Head Fracture? In the following FastlyHealarticle, we will explain it to you.
Table of Contents
Radius head fracture: classification
Radius head fractures in adults can be classified according to Mason:
- Type I: Nondisplaced fracture or displacement of fewer than 2 millimeters, which does not limit pronosupination. There is a vertical fracture line that sometimes goes unnoticed.
- Type II: fracture displaced more than 2 mm, with two fragments blocking pronosupination. More or less vertical fracture lines and details are frequently anterior or external.
- Type III: multifragmentary (comminuted) fracture that can affect the neck or even the bicipital tuberosity.
- Type IV: associated with elbow dislocation.
Symptoms of Radius Head Fracture
Usually, the patient who suffers a fracture of the head of the radius presents intense pain in the outer part of the elbow and a limitation in the totality of movements, especially of the forearm and elbow extension. Virtually all patients with non-radially displaced fractures show a very favorable clinical course. The most common complication in these cases is a mild limitation of the extension or rotation of the forearm. Over time it may appear:
- Arthrosis .
- Rigidity.
- Joint pain.
Radius head fracture: rehabilitation and treatment
The treatment if no displacement in radio head will be immovably A backstab brachio-palmar placing the elbow flexed 90 degrees. Ice and arm elevation are recommended in the first 48 hours. The patient should be examined after one week, and the splint will be removed after three weeks to start the recovery of joint flexibility. The patient should be instructed that pain and stiffness will remain for several weeks, but the function will return to normal within two months of rehabilitation.
In the case of displacement, the therapeutic approach will depend on the size of the fractured segment and the degree of displacement it has experienced. If the fragment is small, less than 1/3 of the mass of the radial head, is embedded and is slightly depressed, no active treatment is appropriate. The procedure is done as it is done with first-degree fractures: immobilization in a sling or with a plaster splint for three weeks, beginning early in the rehabilitation of joint movements progressively and always under the supervision of a specialist. Some loss of extension (10 to 15 degrees) is expected. However, that does not affect the functionality of the upper limb.
Radius head fracture and Kirchner needle
In the surgical treatment of displaced fractures with more than 30% articular surface involvement, the head of the radius is reconstructed with small mini-screws or Kirchner needles. After surgery, an immobilization splint is placed for four weeks. To later continue with the recovery that can reach three months or until recovering the mobility and full extension of the treated elbow.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.