

Difficulty in turning your forearm or moving your elbow.Signs and symptoms of radial head pathology may include: Signs and Symptoms of Radial Head Pathology Some of the other causes of radial head pathology include: The most common cause of a radial head fracture is breaking a fall with an outstretched arm. Radial head fractures are more common in women than in men and occur more frequently in the age group of 30 to 40 years. Elbow dislocations are generally associated with radial head fractures. Causes of Radial Head Pathologyįractures are the most common radial head pathology and occur in almost 20% of acute elbow injuries. Radial head fractures can cause severe impairment in the function of the elbow. When you reach out to try to break a fall, the head of the radius is often the area that fractures. The radial head articulates with the humerus and ulna to form the elbow joint. The radius is the shorter of the two forearm bones and can be divided into the head, neck, and body. The elbow joint is formed by the junction of the humerus (upper arm bone), and radius and ulna (forearm bones). Put items that you use often within easy reach, so you won’t have to stretch and bend as often.Radial head pathology can be defined as the study of causes and effects of conditions, fractures, or dislocations pertaining to the radial head.You may need help with everyday tasks such as cooking, shopping and laundry.Have someone available to take you home, as driving is not recommended for at least 24 hours or as advised.If you smoke, you should stop or cut down as smoking interferes with wound healing and can affect your recovery.Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up. Report any infections to your surgeon.Discuss with your doctor about preparing for potential blood replacement, medical interventions and other treatments prior to surgery.If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding, you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding. Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor as you may have to stop or alter your intake before surgery.Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays may be performed.Understanding the process, and your role in it, will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.īefore surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes.

Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result.
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Once you and your doctor decide that surgery will help you, you will need to learn what to expect from the surgery and how to actively participate in the treatment plan for the best results afterward. Sometimes, your doctor might suggest a CT scan to obtain further details of the fracture, especially the joint surfaces. Your doctor might recommend an X-ray to confirm the fracture and assess displacement of the bone. The symptoms of a radial head fracture include severe pain, swelling in the elbow, difficulty in moving the arm, visible deformity indicating dislocation, bruising and stiffness. Radial head fractures can also occur due to a direct impact on the elbow, a twisting injury, sprain, dislocation or strain. What are the Causes of Radial Head Fractures? Radial head fractures are very common and occur in almost 20% of acute elbow injuries. The injury in the head of the radius causes impairment in the function of the elbow. The head of the radius bone is cup-shaped and corresponds to the spherical surface of the humerus. The elbow joint is essential for the movement of your arms and to perform daily activities. The elbow joint is made up of 3 bones, namely the humerus bone in the upper arm which joins with the radius and ulna bones in the forearm. The elbow is a junction between the forearm and the upper arm. What are Radial Head Fractures of the Elbow?
