Internal fixation of fractures of the proximal end of the radius in adults

Displaced Operable Radial Head Fractures

“…Mason [1] first classified radial head fractures with a later modification by Johnston [6]. While Mason I fractures (marginal minimally displaced fracture) are primarily treated by conservative methods, Mason II (marginal fractures with displacement), and Mason III (comminuted) fractures are primarily treated by open reduction and internal fixation with screws or plates [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The unreconstructable Mason III and all Mason IV fractures are subjected to either radial head excision [19][20][21][22] or radial head replacement [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

“…The relative merits of open reduction and internal fixation of the radial head fractures for maintenance of radio-capitellar contact have been reported, but the results are not universally consistent [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. We hypothesize that the associated injuries are under-diagnosed, under-treated and are under-estimated in terms of their relevance to the patient's final functional outcome.…”