RADIAL HEAD FRACTURE 

Radial head fractures are the most common elbow fracture in adults and are also the most commonly missed elbow fracture! Here’s a quick summary. 

• Most common elbow fracture in adults, also the most commonly missed elbow fracture 

• When looking at an elbow x-ray review alignment (anterior & radiocapitellar lines), fat pads (anterior & posterior) and bone cortex 

• If a fracture cannot be identified but anterior sail sign or posterior fat pad is seen, treat as non-displaced radial head fracture! 

• Mechanism: Fall onto outstretched hand 

• Exam: Tenderness to lateral elbow, limited ROM especially in supination/pronation 

• Possible associated injuries: Ligamentous injury (LCL > MCL), coronoid or olecranon fracture, distal radioulnar joint injury, interosseous membrane injury, elbow dislocation, scaphoid fracture 

• ED Management: Pain control 

• Splint: Sling 

• Ortho consult: No, if Type l; Yes, if Types II-IV 

• Disposition: Type I, DC with ortho follow-up within 1week; Types II-IV, pending orthopedic recommendations 



MH/CCF/CWRU EM Res @MetroHealth_EM



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