Radial Head Fracture Management Approaches

Radial head fractures span a spectrum from minimally displaced cracks to complex, comminuted injuries with associated ligamentous or osseous damage. Initial assessment relies on classification schemes—most commonly the Mason system—to guide treatment. Non-operative management, incorporating brief immobilisation followed by early range-of-motion exercises, remains appropriate for undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures without instability or mechanical block. Displaced fractures amenable to reconstruction are treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), using screws, plates or headless compression devices to restore joint congruity and stability. In unreconstructable or severely comminuted injuries, radial head arthroplasty has become the standard to re-establish lateral column support and resist valgus stress. Advances in implant design, minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques and biomechanical understanding now inform patient-specific decisions, balancing functional recovery with complication risk. Emerging evidence emphasises the importance of addressing concomitant soft-tissue injuries and tailoring management to patient age, activity demands and global resource availability.

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Radial Head Fracture Management Approaches publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in radial head fracture management approaches across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Mason classification: A system categorising radial head fractures by degree of displacement and comminution.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Surgical realignment of fracture fragments secured with implants such as screws or plates.

Radial head arthroplasty: Replacement of the radial head with a modular prosthesis to restore joint stability.

Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive joint inspection and treatment using a small camera and specialised instruments.

Comminuted fracture: A bone break in which the bone shatters into three or more fragments.

References

1. Biomechanical comparison of different internal fixation devices for transversely unstable Mason type II radial head fractures. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2023).
2. The value of elbow arthroscopy in diagnosing and treatment of radial head fractures. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2019).
3. Operative vs. nonoperative treatment for Mason type 2 radial head fractures: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2021).