SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF RADIAL HEAD FRACTUR ES - RESULTS OF INTERNAL-FIXATION AND RESECTION

Between 1982 and 1993 we performed internal fixation or resection in 9 5 adult patients for radial head fracture. It was possible to follow u p 68 patients for an average of 2.1 years. In 53 cases the initial inj ury was an isolated radial head fracture, which was treated by interna l fixation in 41 and resection in 12 cases. Good results were obtained in 80% of patients. A satisfactory outcome was associated with young age, little initial fragment dislocation, internal fixation with screw + K-wire, and early postoperative physiotherapy. Primary resection fo r crush fractures of the radial head did not have negative longterm ef fects. In a comparison group with complex elbow injuries (elbow luxati on in 9 and a Monteggia-type injury in 6 cases) in addition, results w ere considerably poorer and did not depend on the above-mentioned fact ors.