title: Comparison of flexion versus extension splinting in the treatment of Mason type I radial head and neck fractures.
abstract: At an average of 18.4 months after fracture, 20 adult patients with nondisplaced radial head or neck fractures were examined regarding manner of treatment and functional outcome: 11 patients were initially immobilized in 90 degrees flexion and nine patients were immobilized in straight extension. Loss of range of motion of the injured elbow averaged 1 degree loss of flexion, 2 degrees loss of extension, 1 degree loss of supination, and 2 degrees loss of pronation. No patient reported any functional impairment, and only five patients (25%) reported any symptoms referable to the injured elbow on follow-up. The manner of initial treatment did not seem to affect ultimate outcome; symptomatic treatment and splinting followed by early range of motion would appear to produce uniformly good results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013165:Splints; D013396:Suction; D000092464:Elbow Injuries