Fracture of the radial neck in children. A long-term follow-up study of 43 cases.

A series of 43 radial neck or head fractures in children was analysed with respect to the type of fracture and whether conservative or surgical treatment had been employed. Thirty-seven patients were examined after a follow-up period of 1-18 years (average 8 years). Tilting of the radial head, the length of the radius and the size of the radial head were measured roentgenologically to evaluate any growth disturbances. The results were good in 24, fair in 10 and poor in 3 cases. In the 14 patients treated surgically results were good in five, fair in six and poor in three cases. All but two of these patients had an angulation of the radial head of 30 degrees or more. The result was good in 20 of the 23 patients who were treated conservatively because the angulation was less than 30 degrees after reduction. In fair and poor cases the function was impaired by the limitation of motion. Disturbances in growth were generally slight, but an enlargement of the radial head was observed in 16 cases at the follow-up.