Operative Treatment of Radial Head Fracture of Mason type III

Kang, Ho Jung; Park, Moon Soo; Shin, Sang Jin; Kang, Eung Shick; Park, Byeong Mun

Abstract

The treatment of choice for Mason type III radial head fracture was total excision. But, open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the radial head has become a commonplace as the result of both improvements in the techniques and implants for the fixation of small articular fragments as well as increasing recognition of the important role that the radial head plays in the stability of the forearm and elbow, particularly in the face of acute combined osseous and ligamentous injury. To date, reports of radial head fixation have made little mention on Mason type III fracture. From January 1993 to September 1997, 10 patients with fracture of radial head(Mason type III) were treated at Yong-dong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. There were 6 males and 4 females with average age of 30 years(range 16 to 47). All of the fractures were comminuted and Mason type III. Seven fractures were the results of falling down and two slipping down and one pedestrian injury. Six fractures(60%) were evaluated as good or excellent by Bruces criteria. The heterotopic ossification was complicated in two cases. The nonunion of radial head fracture occured in two cases. The radial nerve palsy occured in one case. The partial ankylosis of elbow developed in three cases. Kirschners wires migrated in four cases. Open reduction and internal fixation increased the range of motion and decreased the subjective pain and did not cause any proximal migration of radius, impingement of ulnar carpal and radiocapitellar joint and could be a good treatment modality. The further evaluation should be directed to camparison between the open reduction and internal fixation and prosthetic replacement after total excision of radial head.