Ninety-eight consecutive patients with Mason type 1 and 2 radial head
fractures were randomized into three treatment groups to compare early
mobilization with immobilization in flexion and extension. Eighty-one
patients were reviewed on average 25 months following fracture and as
sessed for pain, disability and range of movement. Loss of full extens
ion was the most frequent restriction of movement and was found in 1 7
patients. Two patients had restricted flexion without limited extensi
on. Patients immobilized in a flexion cast had a significantly reduced
range of movement compared with patients immobilized in extension (P
= 0,02). Nineteen patients had residual pain and again the flexion gro
up fared worse than the extension group (P = 0.06). Results from early
mobilization in a sling were not significantly different from the oth
er two groups. Treatment of radial head fractures in flexion casts sho
uld be avoided.