BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the long-term results of closed uncomplicated Mason type-II and III fractures in a defined population of adults. METHODS: Seventy women and thirty men who were a mean of forty-seven years old when they sustained a fracture of the radial head or neck (a Mason type-II fracture in seventy-six patients and a Mason type-III fracture in twenty-four) were reexamined after a mean of nineteen years. Radiographic signs of degenerative changes of the elbow were recorded. The fracture had been treated with an elastic bandage or a collar and cuff sling with mobilization for forty-four individuals, with cast immobilization for thirty-four, with resection of the radial head in nineteen, with open reduction of the radial head in two, and with a collateral ligament repair in one. Secondary excision of the radial head was performed because of residual pain in nine patients, and a neurolysis of the ulnar nerve was performed in one patient. RESULTS: Seventy-seven individuals had no symptoms in the injured elbow at the time of follow-up, twenty-one had occasional pain, and two had daily pain. The injured elbows had a slight flexion deficit compared with the uninjured elbows (mean and standard deviation, 138 degrees +/- 8 degrees compared with 140 degrees +/- 7 degrees ) as well as a small extension deficit (mean and standard deviation, -4 degrees +/- 8 degrees compared with -1 degrees +/- 6 degrees ) (p < 0.001 for both). The prevalence of degenerative changes was higher in the injured elbows than in the uninjured ones (76% compared with 16%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results following uncomplicated Mason type-II and III fractures are predominantly favorable. A secondary radial head resection is usually effective for patients with an unfavorable outcome (predominantly long-standing pain). LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the long-term results of closed uncomplicated Mason type-II and III fractures in a defined population of adults. METHODS: Seventy women and thirty men who were a mean of forty-seven years old when they sustained a fracture of the radial head or neck (a Mason type-II fracture in seventy-six patients and a Mason type-III fracture in twenty-four) were reexamined after a mean of nineteen years. Radiographic signs of degenerative changes of the elbow were recorded. The fracture had been treated with an elastic bandage or a collar and cuff sling with mobilization for forty-four individuals, with cast immobilization for thirty-four, with resection of the radial head in nineteen, with open reduction of the radial head in two, and with a collateral ligament repair in one. Secondary excision of the radial head was performed because of residual pain in nine patients, and a neurolysis of the ulnar nerve was performed in one patient. RESULTS: Seventy-seven individuals had no symptoms in the injured elbow at the time of follow-up, twenty-one had occasional pain, and two had daily pain. The injured elbows had a slight flexion deficit compared with the uninjured elbows (mean and standard deviation, 138 degrees +/- 8 degrees compared with 140 degrees +/- 7 degrees ) as well as a small extension deficit (mean and standard deviation, -4 degrees +/- 8 degrees compared with -1 degrees +/- 6 degrees ) (p < 0.001 for both). The prevalence of degenerative changes was higher in the injured elbows than in the uninjured ones (76% compared with 16%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results following uncomplicated Mason type-II and III fractures are predominantly favorable. A secondary radial head resection is usually effective for patients with an unfavorable outcome (predominantly long-standing pain). LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Authors: Jeffrey M Pike; Ruby Grewal; George S Athwal; Kenneth J Faber; Graham J W King Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2014-07 Impact factor: 4.176
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Authors: Magnus K Karlsson; Pär Herbertsson; Anders Nordqvist; Jack Besjakov; Per Olof Josefsson; Ralph Hasserius Journal: Acta Orthop Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 3.717
Authors: Magnus K Karlsson; Pär Herbertsson; Anders Nordqvist; Ralph Hasserius; Jack Besjakov; Per Olof Josefsson Journal: Acta Orthop Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 3.717