Exercises | Physiotherapy for a fracture of the radial head

Exercises

Mobilization – rotational movement: Place the forearm on a table top. The palms of your hands are facing the table. Now turn your wrists towards the ceiling.

The movement comes from the elbow joint. 10 repetitions. Mobilization – flexion and extension: Sit straight and upright on a chair.

Arms hang loosely beside the body. Now bend your elbow by moving your thumbs towards your shoulder. Then return to the extension.

3 times 10 repetitions. Mobilization – External rotation: Hold the injured arm at a 90° angle at chest level in front of the body. Now turn the forearm upwards, outwards from the elbow joint and then return to the starting position.

3 times 10 repetitions. More exercises can be found under: Exercises for elbow pain

• Mobilization – rotational movement: Place the forearm on a table top. The palms of your hands are facing the table.

  Now turn your wrists towards the ceiling. The movement comes from the elbow joint. 10 repetitions.

• Mobilization – flexion and extension: Sit straight and upright on a chair.

  The arms hang loosely beside the body. Now bend your elbow by moving your thumbs towards your shoulder. Then return to the extension.

  3 times 10 repetitions.

• Mobilization – external rotation: Hold the injured arm at a 90° angle at chest level in front of the body. Now turn the forearm upwards, outwards from the elbow joint and return to the starting position. 3 times 10 repetitions.

Classification according to Mason

There are various classification models for classifying the severity of a radial head fracture. One of these is the Mason classification. Here the radial head fracture is divided into 4 classes: Mason Type I : this type describes hairline fractures (fissures) of the radial head and smooth, non-displaced fractures Mason Type II : this type describes a displaced fracture Mason Type III : this type describes a displaced comminuted fracture of the radial head consisting of several fragments Mason Type IV : this type describes a fracture of the radial head with simultaneous dislocation of the elbow joint

1. Mason Type I : this type describes hairline cracks (fissures) on the head of the radius and smooth, non-displaced fractures
2. Mason Type II: this type describes a displaced fracture
3. Mason Type III: this type describes a shifted fracture of the radius head consisting of several fragments
4. Mason Type IV: this type describes a fracture of the radial head with simultaneous dislocation of the elbow joint