The epidemiology of radial head fractures.
BACKGROUND
Recent literature shows an increased mean age of female patients with radial head fractures compared with male patients with radial head fractures. However, data on epidemiology of radial head fractures and specifically in relation to age distribution and male-female ratios of radial head fracture are scarce.


METHODS
A retrospective database search was performed to identify all patients with a radial head fracture over a 3-year period.


RESULTS
A total of 328 radial head fractures were diagnosed in 322 patients. The incidence was 2.8 per 10,000 inhabitants per year. The male-female ratio was 2:3. The mean age was 48.0 years (range, 14-88 years; SD, 14.8). The mean age of female patients (52.8 years) was significantly higher than that of male patients (40.5 years) (P = .001). As the age increases above 50 years, the number of female patients becomes significantly higher than the number of male patients (P = .001). An associated osseous injury was present in 40 patients (12.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Radial head fractures are common, and associated injuries are frequent.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands. laurenskaas@hotmail.com
Laurens
L
Kaas
Roger P
RP
van Riet
Jos P A M
JP
Vroemen
Denise
D
Eygendaal
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult