Fractures of the elbow and forearm

Abstract

The radial head develops a secondary ossification center, the second to appear at the elbow during childhood, by the age of 3 years or slightly afterward. The radial head is therefore largely made of cartilage and intraarticular fractures are rare. In comparison, the radial neck is commonly fractured, either as a metaphyseal fracture, or as a growth plate injury (Salter Harris I or II). The typical mechanism of injury is a fall on the extended arm with the forces resolving to produce elbow extension and valgus. Radial neck fractures also occur in combination with elbow dislocation. It is vital to diagnose these since the reduction maneuver may otherwise result in full displacement of a previously undisplaced fracture. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.