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. 2010 Apr;81(2):224-7.
doi: 10.3109/17453671003717815.

Comminuted fractures of the radial head

Magnus K Karlsson  1 , Pär Herbertsson, Anders Nordqvist, Jack Besjakov, Per Olof Josefsson, Ralph Hasserius
Affiliations

Comminuted fractures of the radial head

Magnus K Karlsson et al. Acta Orthop. 2010 Apr.

Erratum in

  • Acta Orthop. 2010 Oct;81(5):647

Abstract

Background: There have been few reports on the long-term outcome of comminuted radial head fractures in adults.

Method: 10 women and 9 men with a mean age of 45 (21-65) years when they sustained a comminuted fracture of the radial head were re-evaluated after 15-25 years. 6 patients had been nonoperatively (NO) treated while 13 had had a radial head excision. The uninjured elbow served as a control.

Results: At follow-up, 11 patients (4 NO patients) rated their fractured elbow as being without deficits, 7 (1 NO) as being slightly impaired, and 1 (NO) as being severely impaired. Range of motion and elbow strength were not impaired, and even though there were more degenerative changes such as cysts, osteophytes, and sclerosis in the injured elbows by radiography, the prevalence of joint space reduction was not higher.

Interpretation: Most patients with an isolated comminuted fracture of the radial head treated nonoperatively or with a radial head excision report no or only minor long-term complaints.

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Figures

None
The Broberg modification of the Mason classification
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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