Introduction
A radial head fracture is a fracture of the bone at the upper end of the radius of the forearm. It accounts for about 3% of all bony injuries in the population and usually occurs during falls. Depending on the extent of the injury, different forms are described, which can be treated in different ways depending on the concomitant injuries and clinical severity.
Causes
The most common cause of a fracture of the radial head is a fall on the stretched arm, for example when the patient supports himself on the ground with his hand when falling. In this case, the vertical force applied to the stretched arm exerts enormous pressure on the radial head, which cannot always withstand the load. A fracture can be the result. However, a fracture of the radial head can also be caused by any other violent impact on the arm, for example by a strong blow on the arm at the level of the radial head.
Symptoms
Patients with a fracture of the radial head usually complain of pain in the area of the radial head, which can radiate into the hand. When pressure is applied to the radial head, the pain can be localized there and is strongest at this point. The pain usually increases when the forearm is turned in or out.
In addition to the pain, there is often swelling in the area of the radial head and bruising. Depending on the force applied to the arm, the ulna may also be injured. Since the radial nerve also runs through the elbow region, it can also be affected by an injury there.
If the nerve is severed, for example, the sensitivity of the first three fingers of the hand may be impaired. A radial head fracture can be very painful. As a rule, there is pronounced pressure pain directly above the affected radial head.
The pain can also radiate through the forearm and into the hand. The pain can often be intensified by turning the forearm inwards and outwards. Accompanying injuries to the fracture of the radial head can lead to an increased intensity of pain, for example, if the other bone of the forearm is also damaged or nerves or ligaments in the surrounding area are also affected. The injury to blood vessels or the fracture itself can lead to pronounced joint effusions, which are also accompanied by a painful restriction of movement in the affected elbow joint. A therapeutic joint puncture can relieve the pain, as the pressure built up by the fluid in the joint can be released.
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