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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Radial Head Fractures

Elbow Trauma

A 35-year-old woman falls onto an outstretched hand while cycling. She presents with lateral elbow pain and limited rotation. Examination reveals tenderness over the radial head and painful pronation/supination. Radiographs show a displaced radial head fracture with three major fragments and a positive "fat pad sign." There is no associated dislocation. Regarding radial head fractures:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Radial head fractures are the most common elbow fracture in adults; the mechanism is typically a fal...

B

The "fat pad sign" (anterior and posterior) on lateral radiograph indicates intra-articular injury e...

C

All radial head fractures require surgical treatment; excision without replacement is always preferr...

D

Treatment depends on fracture type and associated injuries: Type I (nondisplaced) can be treated wit...

E

The "safe zone" for hardware placement is the non-articulating portion of the radial head (posterola...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option