Radial Head Elbow Fracture Treatment, Recovery Time, and More

A radial head elbow fracture is a fracture of the radial head bone, located near the elbow. It is the most common type of elbow fracture in adults.

Radial head fractures are often caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. They are most common in two groups of patients: elderly women with osteoporosis or young men as a result of significant trauma. Radial head fractures can also occur in conjunction with other elbow and upper extremity trauma.

This article discusses radial head fractures, what they are, and how they are treated. It also goes over the average recovery time for this type of injury.

Radial Head Elbow Fracture Symptoms

The radial head is shaped like a round disc and is important in movements of the elbow. The radial head moves both in flexion and extension (bending) of the elbow joint, as well as rotation of the forearm. Therefore, injury to the radial head can affect all movements at the elbow.

Radial head fractures most often occur after falling and reaching out to brace yourself with your forearm. The symptoms of this type of fracture include:

• Pain at the elbow
• Limited range of motion of the joint
• Swelling of the joint
• Tenderness mostly on the outside of the joint

How Radial Head Fractures Are Diagnosed

Radial head fractures can often be seen on an X-ray, but sometimes in well-aligned breaks of the bone, they may not show up on a regular X-ray. 

Often the injury is suspected if swelling is seen on the X-ray within the elbow joint. Other tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, can be obtained if there is uncertainty about the diagnosis.

How Are Radial Head Elbow Fractures Treated?

Treatment of radial head fractures depends on the appearance of the fracture on X-ray. Radial head fractures that are not badly displaced can be managed by splinting the elbow for a short period of time to control discomfort, followed by early range-of-motion exercises. 

More prolonged immobilization is not recommended and can lead to more problems resulting from the stiffness of the joint.

More significantly displaced radial head fractures may require surgery for stabilization of the fracture, or possibly an excision of the radial head. Determining which type of treatment is appropriate depends on several factors including:

• The number of bone fragments
• Injury to other bones and ligaments around the elbow
• The activity level of the patient

If the radial head requires removal, an implant may need to be put in its place to prevent elbow instability. This procedure, called a radial head replacement, is necessary if other bones and/or ligaments have been injured and the elbow joint is unstable without any radial head. Otherwise, removal of an isolated radial head injury usually does not cause any impairment in the function of the elbow joint.

Complications of radial head fractures include: 

• Nonunion
• Malunion
• Elbow arthritis
• Stiffness of the elbow joint

Nonunion (unhealed fractures) and malunion (poorly aligned fractures) are most common with non-surgical treatment, but can often cause no symptoms. Arthritis and stiffness are more common with more severe injuries, such as fractures that cause many pieces of bone.

Radial Head Elbow Fracture Recovery Time

It takes between six and eight weeks to recover from a radial head elbow fracture. The injury may cause pain and swelling for up to two weeks.

Your healthcare provider will let you know when it is okay to begin using your elbow again. You should avoid lifting anything with that arm in the meantime.

Summary

A radial head fracture is a fracture of the radial head bone near the elbow. It usually occurs after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Someone with this type of fracture may have pain in the elbow and a limited range of motion. 

Radial head elbow fractures are usually diagnosed with an X-ray or other imaging scans such as a CT scan or MRI. They are often treated with splinting and physical therapy, but more severe fractures may require surgery.