• Onland J
• Jian L

• Adult
• Diversified Technique
• Elbow Injuries
• Elbow Joint / diagnostic imaging
• Joint Prosthesis
• Male
• Neck Pain / rehabilitation
• Radius / injuries
• Radius Fractures

Objective: To discuss a post traumatic radial head replacement in a 56 year-old male and note the role chiropractic care played in his management.

Clinical Features: The patient presented to a chiropractic office with a neck complaint. Case history revealed a fall 4 meters off a roof where the patient was knocked unconscious and fractured several ribs, the right triquetrum and right radial head. The extensive elbow injury was treated with a radial head replacement (RHR) and upper limb rehabilitation. The radial head prosthesis prevents extension of the patient's elbow beyond 110°; he also had slight reduction in all other elbow ranges of motion. He displayed reduced grip strength and atrophy of major muscle groups of the involved upper extremity. He was managed concurrently by his chiropractor to address the neck complaint associated with the biomechanical changes caused by the upper extremity injury.

Conclusion: Due to the complex nature of the radial head fracture, RHR replacement was chosen to maintain the integrity and stability of the elbow joint.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Click on the above link for free full text.