Fracture, radial head-neck

• 813.05 Fracture of head of radius closed
• 813.06 Fracture of neck of radius closed
• 813.15 Fracture of head of radius open
• 813.16 Fracture of neck of radius open

• S52.123A Displaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
• S52.126A Nondisplaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
• S52.133A Displaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
• S52.136A Nondisplaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for closed fracture
• S52.123B Displaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
• S52.123C Displaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
• S52.126B Nondisplaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
• S52.126C Nondisplaced fracture of head of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
• S52.133B Displaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
• S52.133C Displaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
• S52.136B Nondisplaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type I or II
• S52.136C Nondisplaced fracture of neck of unspecified radius, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC

• 4G: Impaired Joint Mobility, Muscle Performance, and Range of Motion Associated With Fracture

Description

• Fracture
• Any defect in continuity of the radial head or neck
• Displaced (radial head/neck is moved on either side of the fracture) or nondisplaced (radial head/neck has not moved)
• Closed (skin is intact) or open (skin is breached)

Essentials

• Diagnosis is usually made by clinical examination
• May not be a fracture but a proximal radioulnar subluxation/dislocation, humeroradial subluxation/dislocation, radial collateral ligament sprain

General Considerations

• Radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm.
• Occurs in about 20% of all acute elbow injuries

Demographics

• More frequent in women than in men
• Occurs most often between 30 and 40 years of age

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain on the outside of the elbow
• Point tenderness
• Edema
• Ecchymosis
• Loss of general function
• Loss of active elbow movement
• Loss of active forearm movement (supination/pronation)
• Muscle guarding with passive movement
• Crepitus

Functional Implications

• Pain with weight-bearing activities on involved upper extremity (UE)
• Pain with vertical positioning of arm at side
• Pain with all elbow and forearm movements (passive or active)

Possible Contributing Causes

• Mechanism of injury
  • Fall on outstretched hand
  • Blunt or penetrating trauma is a rare cause

Differential Diagnosis

• Proximal radioulnar subluxation/dislocation
• Humeroradial subluxation/dislocation
• Radial collateral ligament ...