The radius bone near your elbow joint has a rounded top part that may experience a fracture. Car accidents and falls may cause direct trauma to your elbow. This radial head fracture can range from minor to severe. Displaced fractures make the condition more complex and involve multiple fragments.
What is a radial head fracture?
Some people mistakenly think that radial head fracture is a brain injury. However, the fracture is related to your elbow and forearm bones. The radius (smaller bone) in your forearm gets fractured, causing acute elbow injuries. While practicing skating or riding scooters, you have a chance of falling onto your outstretched forearm. Moreover, when you play arm wrestling, your forearm is often forcefully twisted.
Middle-aged women are at a higher risk of experiencing radial head fractures, according to some studies.
This injury causes a few symptoms like:
- You cannot straighten or bend the elbow
- Pain at your elbow’s outer part
- Cannot twist your forearm
- Swelling occurs at your elbow joint
Based on the severity level, radial head fracture ranges from Type I to Type III. Thus, consult an orthopaedic professional for proper diagnosis of your injury.
Those who often engage in high-risk activities should wear elbow pads to prevent severe injury. They should also make their bones and muscles stronger with regular resistance training.
How to treat a radial head fracture
The leading orthopaedic experts in Melbourne provide various treatment options. They focus on various factors in determining treatment strategy:
- Your current injuries
- The displacement level
- The degree of displacement
The main aim is to restore your normal elbow function and prevent further complications.
If your radial head fracture is minor, the orthopaedic specialists treat the condition non-surgically. For your minimally displaced bones, you need to wear a sling. It will keep your elbow immobilised while alleviating your pain. After initial immobilisation, the experts will encourage early movement. It will prevent excessive elbow joint stiffness. The orthopaedists will also recommend gentle exercises that accelerate the recovery.
Furthermore, you need to take medications to prevent inflammation and pain. Ice therapy is also effective in alleviating swelling.
Surgeries to treat your elbow fracture
A severe radial head fracture needs a surgical solution. The surgical process will realign your bone fragments and secure them in place. You can contact physiotherapists for post-operative care. Proper physiotherapy will help your joints regain mobility and strength.
Arthroplasty is another surgical treatment that helps with radial head replacement. If your radial head damage is irreparable, this surgery is the only option.
In some cases, the surgeon addresses ligament damage and reconstructs it surgically. Thus, there are various ways to treat your radial head injury.
Contact the experts for your radial head fracture treatment
Theleading orthopaedic experts in Melbourne recommend imaging tests that show the condition of your bones. They prescribe pain medications as the primary treatment. After checking the diagnostic report, they will start the main treatment and ensure faster recovery. So, consult the best orthopaedist in your locality to heal your injury.