Assessment of Function in Fracture Head Radius

Abstract

Fracture head of the radius management has long been a controversial subject. Disagreement has centered around four main points: The indication for non-operative and operative treatment: The period of immobilization; The need for aspiration of the joint and the timing of radial head excision, if indicated.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the elbow function and incidence of complications. Comparing results of different options of treatment. Seventy - six (76) adult patients with fracture of the radial head were reported from the casualty of AL-JALA Hospital in Benghazi.

Assessment of this cases both Clinically and Radiological) in the follow up clinic showed that the functional end-results in the conservatively treated patients were better than in those operatively treated. Un-displaced fractures were better treated by sling and early motioa Displaced non- Comminuted radial head fractures were better treated by immobilization in Plaster of Paris cast for three weeks. Operative excision of the radial head is indicated only in Comminuted fractures. Early treatment gave better results in either conservative or operative methods of treatment.