What is a radial head fracture?
A radial head fracture is a condition characterized by a break in the head of one of the long bones of the forearm known as the radius (figure 1). The head of the radius is located just below the outer aspect of the elbow joint (figure 2). The forearm comprises of two long bones known as the radius and the ulna which are situated beside each other (figure 1). The radius bone lies on the thumb side (outer aspect) of the forearm and forms joints with the upper arm bone (humerus) at the elbow, the ulna bone (both near the elbow and also, near the wrist) and several small bones at the wrist (figure 1). The radial head (or head of the radius) is a bony prominence at the top of the radius that forms a joint with the humerus and ulna and is situated just beneath the elbow joint on the outer aspect (figure 2). During certain activities, such as a fall onto the outstretched hand or onto the outer elbow, stress is placed on the radius bone and the radial head. When this stress is traumatic and b
