Ma. Frankle et al., Radial head fractures associated with elbow dislocations treated by immediate stabilization and early motion, J SHOUL ELB, 8(4), 1999, pp. 355-360
Twenty-one elbow dislocations with an associated radial head Fracture were
treated with immediate joint reduction, stabilization, and early range-of-m
otion exercises. In all cases initial treatment involved closed reduction o
f the ulnohumeral joint. For those cases involving minimally displaced and
a few moderately displaced radial head fractures, treatment consisted of be
nign neglect (4 of 21). Of the more severely displaced fractures (17 of 21)
, 9 were treated with open-reduction internal fixation and 8 with immediate
silicone head replacement. Despite radial head treatment, 6 of these cases
remained unstable, prompting primary repair of collateral ligaments; 3 eve
ntually required application of a hinged fixator as a salvage option. Resul
ts confirmed that initial radial head displacement predicts functional outc
ome. Our study demonstrates that fracture dislocations of the elbow demand
a broad consideration of treatment options and that reconstruction of elbow
stability requires either primary repair of collateral ligaments or the po
ssible use of a hinged fixator device.