Radial Head Anatomy

The radial head is the proximal articular surface of the radius and prone to dislocation in childhood and fracture in adults. However the head of the radius is not perfectly cylindrical but slightly oval.

Science Source Fractured And Dislocated Elbow Illustration

It is palpable on the lateral side of the elbow immediately distal to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Radial head anatomy. And supination palm up. The acumed anatomic radial head system provides a comprehensive solution that includes the first anatomically shaped radial head prosthesis on the market and is equipped with the tools needed to restore the patients anatomy in a radial head replacement surgery. The mean diameter of the radial head is 22 3 mm.

The radial head consists of a concave dish which articulates with the capitellum and an articular margin which articulates with the lesser sigmoid radial notch of the ulna. Radial head excision will exacerbate elbowwrist instability and may result in proximal radial migration and ulnocarpal impingement. The radial head articulates with the capitellum of the distal humerus and the ulna proximal radial ulnar joint.

Radial head fractures and dislocations are traumatic injuries that require adequate treatment to prevent disability from stiffness deformity posttraumatic arthritis nerve damage or other serious complications. Radial head fractures of the elbow anatomy. Radial head fractures of the elbow while trying to break a fall with your hands may seem instinctive the force of the fall could travel up your forearm bones and dislocate your elbow.

Radial head fractures requiring replacement have shown good clinical outcomes with metallic implants. Approximately 240 degrees of the radial margin articulates with the ulna whereas the remainder is nonarticular and may be devoid of cartilage. The radial head is elliptical in shape and the long axis is perpendicular to the lesser sigmoid notch in the position of neutral rotation of the forearm.

In anatomical position its major axis 28 mm. The elbow is a complex joint that allows bending and straightening flexion and extension and forearm rotation pronation palm down. The head is cylindrical to allow axial rotation of the radius thus to articulate with the annular ligament and the radial notch on the ulna.

It also could break the smaller bone radius in your forearm. The radial head is variably offset 6 0 to 28 0 from the long axis of the radius with the average of 168 0.

Radial Head Fracture Fixation Orif Elbow Surgeon South