Severe Osteoarthritis of the Elbow after a Non-Displaced Radial Head Fracture: Case Report^[∗]

Abstract

Fractures of the radial head account for over 50% of all fractures of the forearm. Broberg and Morrey (modification of the Mason classification) classify them in four types. Type 1 fractures are non-displaced or minimally displaced, considered stable and without mechanical joint blockage. In this type of fracture, a non-operative management with a short period of immobilization leads to a good clinical result without adverse outcomes. Clinically relevant associated lesions are not common. Because of this, arthritis of the radiocapitellar and ulnohumeral joint after the non-displaced radial head fracture is uncommon. This case report presents a young patient diagnosed with isolated non-displaced radial head fracture, that evolved 8 months later, to global arthritis of the elbow.

Keywords

elbow - osteoarthritis - radius fractures

• Referências

• 1 Mahmoud SS, Moideen AN, Kotwal R, Mohanty K. Management of Mason type 1 radial head fractures: a regional survey and a review of literature. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2014; 24 (07) 1133-1137
• 2 Mason ML. Some observations on fractures of the head of the radius with a review of one hundred cases. Br J Surg 1954; 42 (172) 123-132
• 3 Broberg MA, Morrey BF. Results of treatment of fracture-dislocations of the elbow. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1987; (216) 109-119
• 4 Duckworth AD, McQueen MM, Ring D. Fractures of the radial head. Bone Joint J 2013; 95-B [phone]
• 5 Kaas L, van Riet RP, Turkenburg JL, Vroemen JP, van Dijk CN, Eygendaal D. Magnetic resonance imaging in radial head fractures: most associated injuries are not clinically relevant. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2011; 20 (08) 1282-1288
• 6 Kachooei AR, Ring D. Evaluation of Radiocapitellar Arthritis in Patients with a Second Radiograph at Least 2 Years after Nonoperative Treatment of an Isolated Radial Head Fracture. Arch Bone Jt Surg 2017; 5 (06) 375-379
• 7 Herbertsson P, Josefsson PO, Hasserius R, Karlsson C, Besjakov J, Karlsson MK. Displaced Mason type I fractures of the radial head and neck in adults: a fifteen- to thirty-three-year follow-up study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2005; 14 (01) 73-77
• 8 Hausmann JT, Vekszler G, Breitenseher M, Braunsteiner T, Vécsei V, Gäbler C. Mason type-I radial head fractures and interosseous membrane lesions--a prospective study. J Trauma 2009; 66 (02) 457-461