Radial Head Fracture Treatment
The radius bone is a small bone that travels from your elbow to your wrist. Fractures of this bone commonly occur in the radial head, located at the portion of the bone closest to the elbow. This acute elbow injury can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty bending or straightening the elbow joint.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our expert, highly-trained specialists can treat radial head fractures based on the degree of the injury. Type I fractures are commonly treated with splints or slings to immobilize the arm. Type II and type II fractures may require surgical intervention to either repair or remove broken bone as a result of the fracture. Our team will work alongside you during your surgery and provide you with rehabilitative advice to ensure a healthy, quick recovery.
If you have sustained a radial head fracture, do not allow your condition to worsen. Schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.
Radial Head Fractures FAQ
What Is A Radial Head Fracture?
The radius bone goes from your elbow to your wrist. The radial head is at the top of the radius bone, just below your elbow. A fracture is a break in your bone.
What Causes A Radial Head Fracture?
While trying to break a fall with your hands may seem instinctive, the force of the fall could travel up your forearm bones and dislocate your elbow. It also could break the smaller bone (radius) in your forearm.
Fractures of the radius often occur in the part of the bone near the elbow, called the radial “head.” Radial head fractures are common injuries, occurring in about 20% of all acute elbow injuries.
Many elbow dislocations also involve fractures of the radial head. Radial head fractures are more frequent in women than in men, and are more likely to happen in people who are between 30 and 40 years of age.
What Are The Symptoms of A Radial Head Fracture?
The most common symptoms of a radial head fracture include:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Swelling in the elbow joint
- Difficulty in bending or straightening the elbow accompanied by pain
- Inability or difficulty in turning the forearm (palm up to palm down or vice versa)
What Are The Treatment Options For A Radial Head Fracture?
Doctors classify fractures according to the degree of displacement (how far out of normal position the bones are).
Treatment is determined by the type of fracture, according to the classification below.
Type I Fractures
Type I fractures are generally small, like cracks, and the bone pieces remain fitted together. The fracture may not be visible on initial x-rays, but can usually be seen if the x-ray is taken 3 weeks after the injury. Nonsurgical treatment involves using a splint or sling for a few days, followed by an early and gradual increase in elbow and wrist movement (depending on the level of pain). If too much motion is attempted too quickly, the bones may shift and become displaced.
Type II Fractures
Type II fractures are slightly displaced and involve a larger piece of bone. If displacement is minimal, a sling or splint may be used for 1 to 2 weeks, followed by range-of-motion exercises. Small fragments of broken bone may be surgically removed if they prevent normal elbow movement or could cause long-term problems with the elbow. If a fragment is large and out of place enough, the orthopedic surgeon will first attempt to hold the bones together with screws, or a plate and screws. If this is not possible, the surgeon will remove the broken pieces of the radial head. The surgeon will also correct any other soft-tissue injury, such as a torn ligament.
Type III Fractures
Type III fractures have multiple broken pieces of bone which cannot be put back together for healing. In most Type III radial head fractures, there is also significant damage to the elbow joint and the ligaments that surround the elbow.
Surgery is always required to either fix or remove the broken pieces of bone and repair the soft-tissue damage. If the damage is severe, the entire radial head may need to be removed. In some cases, an artificial radial head may be placed to improve long-term function.
Early movement to stretch and bend the elbow is necessary to avoid stiffness. Even the simplest of fractures may result in some loss of movement in the elbow. Regardless of the type of fracture or the treatment used, exercises to restore movement and strength will be needed before resuming full activities.