Radial Head Fracture Following a Fall

A 26-year-old man who was serving in the military was referred to a physical therapist for an acute right elbow sprain following a fall on an outstretched hand 36 hours prior. The patient reported immediate pain and restricted elbow motion following the injury. Because the history and physical examination findings were concerning for a possible radial head fracture, the physical therapist ordered elbow radiographs. The anterior-to-posterior radiographic view revealed a nondisplaced longitudinal radial head fracture involving the lateral one third of the radial head, while the lateral radiographic view revealed lucencies anterior and posterior to the distal humerus, indicating displacement of the anterior and posterior fat pads due to joint effusion. The patient was referred to an orthopaedic physician for fracture management. At 6 weeks following the injury, he successfully returned to full unrestricted activity, with no residual deficits. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(1):30. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.0401