Most fractures of the radial head are stable undisplaced or minimally displaced partial fractures without an associated fracture of the elbow or forearm or ligament injury, where stiffness following non-operative management is the primary concern. Displaced unstable fractures of the radial head are usually associated with other fractures or ligament injuries, and restoration of radiocapitellar contact by reconstruction or prosthetic replacement of the fractured head is necessary to prevent subluxation or dislocation of the elbow and forearm. In fractures with three or fewer fragments (two articular fragments and the neck) and little or no metaphyseal comminution, open reduction and internal fixation may give good results. However, fragmented unstable fractures of the radial head are prone to early failure of fixation and nonunion when fixed. Excision of the radial head is associated with good long-term results, but in patients with instability of the elbow or forearm, prosthetic replacement is preferred.

This review considers the characteristics of stable and unstable fractures of the radial head, as well as discussing the debatable aspects of management, in light of the current best evidence.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:151–9.

The Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) of the forearm is a rare and serious condition which is often overlooked, leading to a poor outcome. . The purpose of this retrospective case study was to establish whether early surgery can give good medium-term results. . From a group of 295 patients with a fracture of the radial head, 12 patients were diagnosed with ELI on MRI which confirmed injury to the interosseous membrane (IOM) and ligament (IOL). They were treated by reduction and temporary Kirschner (K)-wire stabilisation of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). In addition, eight patients had a radial head replacement, and two a radial head reconstruction. All patients were examined clinically and radiologically 59 months (25 to 90) after surgery when the mean Mayo Modified Wrist Score (MMWS) was 88.4 (78 to 94), the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Scores (MEPS) 86.7 (77 to 95) and the mean disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score 20.5 (16 to 31): all of these indicate a good outcome. In case of a high index of suspicion for ELI in patients with a radial head fracture, we recommend the following: confirmation of IOM and IOL injury with an early MRI scan; early surgery with reduction and temporary K-wire stabilisation of the DRUJ; preservation of the radial head if at all possible or replacement if not, and functional bracing in supination. This will increase the prospect of a good result, and avoid the complications of a missed diagnosis and the difficulties of late treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1385–91

Fractures of the distal humeral articular surface which do not involve the medial and lateral columns are often more extensive than is apparent from plain radiographs. This retrospective study describes the epidemiology of this injury using modern classification systems and compares pre-operative radiography with operative findings. The study group included 79 patients with a mean age of 47 years (13 to 91). The annual incidence was 1.5 per 100 000 population, and was highest in women over the age of 60. The majority of the fractures (59; 75%) were sustained in falls from standing height. Young males tended to sustain more high-energy injuries with more complex fracture patterns. In 24% of cases (19) there was a concomitant radial head fracture. Classification from plain radiographs often underestimates the true extent of the injury and computed tomography may be of benefit in pre-operative planning, especially in those over 60 years of age

Aims

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication after elbow trauma and can cause severe upper limb disability. Although multiple prognostic factors have been reported to be associated with the development of post-traumatic HO, no model has yet been able to combine these predictors more succinctly to convey prognostic information and medical measures to patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify prognostic factors leading to the formation of HO after surgery for elbow trauma, and to establish and validate a nomogram to predict the probability of HO formation in such particular injuries.

The objective of this retrospective study was to correlate the Bado and Jupiter classifications with long-term results after operative treatment of Monteggia fractures in adults and to determine prognostic factors for functional outcome. Of 63 adult patients who sustained a Monteggia fracture in a ten-year period, 47 were available for follow-up after a mean time of 8.4 years (5 to 14). According to the Broberg and Morrey elbow scale, 22 patients (47%) had excellent, 12 (26%) good, nine (19%) fair and four (8%) poor results at the last follow-up. A total of 12 patients (26%) needed a second operation within 12 months of the initial operation. The mean Broberg and Morrey score was 87.2 (45 to 100) and the mean DASH score was 17.4 (0 to 70). There was a significant correlation between the two scores (p = 0.01). The following factors were found to be correlated with a poor clinical outcome: Bado type II fracture, Jupiter type IIa fracture, fracture of the radial head, coronoid fracture, and complications requiring further surgery. Bado type II Monteggia fractures, and within this group, Jupiter type IIa fractures, are frequently associated with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process, and should be considered as negative prognostic factors for functional long-term outcome. Patients with these types of fracture should be informed about the potential risk of functional deficits and the possible need for further surgery

Aims

The Edinburgh Trauma Triage Clinic (TTC) streamlines outpatient care through consultant-led ‘virtual’ triage of referrals and the direct discharge of minor fractures from the Emergency Department. We compared the patient outcomes for simple fractures of the radial head, little finger metacarpal, and fifth metatarsal before and after the implementation of the TTC.

Aims

Fracture clinics are often characterised by the referral of large numbers of unselected patients with minor injuries not requiring investigation or intervention, long waiting times and recurrent unnecessary reviews. Our experience had been of an unsustainable system and we implemented a ‘Trauma Triage Clinic’ (TTC) in order to rationalise and regulate access to our fracture service. The British Orthopaedic Association’s guidelines have required a prospective evaluation of this change of practice, and we report our experience and results.

A total of 14 women and seven men with a mean age of 43 years (18 to 68) who sustained a Mason type IV fracture of the elbow, without an additional type II or III coronoid fracture, were evaluated after a mean of 21 years (14 to 46). Primary treatment included closed elbow reduction followed by immobilisation in a plaster in all cases, with an additional excision of the radial head in 11, partial resection in two and suturing of the annular ligament in two. Delayed radial head excision was performed in two patients and an ulnar nerve transposition in one. The uninjured elbows served as controls. Nine patients had no symptoms, 11 reported slight impairment, and one severe impairment of the elbow. Elbow flexion was impaired by a mean of 3° (sd 4) and extension by a mean of 9° (sd 4) (p < 0.01). None experienced chronic elbow instability or recurrent dislocation. There were more degenerative changes in the formerly injured elbows, but none had developed a reduction in joint space.

We conclude that most patients with a Mason type IV fracture of the elbow report a good long-term outcome.

A series of 103 acute fractures of the coronoid process of the ulna in 101 patients was reviewed to determine their frequency. The Regan-Morrey classification, treatment, associated injuries, course and outcomes were evaluated. Of the 103 fractures, 34 were type IA, 17 type IB, ten type IIA, 19 type IIB, ten type IIIA and 13 type IIIB. A total of 44 type-I fractures (86%) were treated conservatively, while 22 type-II (76%) and all type-III fractures were managed by operation.

At follow-up at a mean of 3.4 years (1 to 8.9) the range of movement differed significantly between the types of fracture (p = 0.002). Patients with associated injuries had a lower Mayo elbow performance score (p = 0.03), less extension (p = 0.03), more pain (p = 0.007) and less pronosupination (p = 0.004), than those without associated injuries. The presence of a fracture of the radial head had the greatest effect on outcome. An improvement in outcome relative to that of a previous series was noted, perhaps because of more aggressive management and early mobilisation. While not providing complete information about the true details of a fracture and its nature, the Regan-Morrey classification is useful as a broad index of severity and prognosis.