Radial head fracture: Difference between revisions
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Tintinalli, J. E., Stapczynski, J. S., Ma, O. J., Yealy, D. M., Meckler, G. D., & Cline, D. (2016). Injuries to Bones and Joints In Tintinalli's emergency medicine: A comprehensive study guide (Eighth edition.) (pp1863-1864). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. | |||
Revision as of 19:49, 8 May 2019
Background
- Most common fractures of the elbow, approximately 20% of elbow fractures
- Caused by FOOSH in pronation leading to radial head being driven into the capitellum
Associated injuries (are common)
- Capitellum fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Coronoid fracture
- MCL injury
- Elbow dislocation
- DRUJ (distal radial ulnar joint) injury
- Interosseous membrane disruption
- Essex-Lopresti fracture (radial head fracture, DRUJ, interosseous membrane disruption), requires ORIF
- Terrible triad (radial head fracture, coronoid fracture, elbow dislocation)
Clinical Features
- Pain in the lateral elbow, especially with pronation/supination of forearm
- Swelling laterally and tenderness of radial head
Differential Diagnosis
Elbow Diagnoses
Radiograph-Positive
- Distal humerus fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Capitellum fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Elbow dislocation
Radiograph-Negative
- Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
- Pronator teres syndrome
- Septic bursitis
Pediatric
- Nursemaid's elbow
- Supracondylar fracture
- Lateral epicondyle fracture
- Medial epicondyle fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Salter-Harris fractures
Evaluation
Elbow X-ray
Fractures are often subtle
- Look for abnormal fat pad
- Look for radiocapitellar line disruption
- Greenspan View X-Ray
- If possible, lateral elbow is shot at 45 degrees to pick up subtle fractures
Management
- Sling immobilization in flexion, ice, elevation
- Nondisplaced fracture with no mobility restrictions: ortho follow up within 1wk
- Displaced fracture or mobility restrictions: ortho follow up within 24hr
Disposition
- Normally outpatient
See Also
References
Tintinalli, J. E., Stapczynski, J. S., Ma, O. J., Yealy, D. M., Meckler, G. D., & Cline, D. (2016). Injuries to Bones and Joints In Tintinalli's emergency medicine: A comprehensive study guide (Eighth edition.) (pp1863-1864). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.