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Why did a fall cause such a painful elbow fracture?
In daily life, accidental falls are often unavoidable. While many falls may result in just a minor scrape, for some people they can result in serious injuries, particularly at the elbow, the most common of which is a broken elbow. According to medical research, fractures of the humerus and elbow dislocation are usually related to falls or direct external force, which has attracted widespread attention in the medical community. Today, we're going to take a closer look at one particular type of elbow fracture called a "radius fracture."
What is a radius fracture?
A radius fracture refers to a fracture of the uppermost part of the humerus, which is an important part of the bone that is closely related to the elbow. Typically, this type of fracture occurs due to a fall or a direct blow to the elbow. The unique position of the radius makes it particularly vulnerable when subjected to direct external force.
People experience severe elbow pain after a direct blow or fall and are often unable to straighten their elbow.
Symptoms of radius fracture
Some signs and symptoms of a radius fracture include: swelling around the elbow after a fall, severe pain, and inability to straighten the elbow. Due to the tight connection between the radial and ulnar nerves, swelling may cause an unperceivable tingling sensation and eventually numbness in the two fingers. Additionally, during the examination, the doctor can feel a visible defect at the fracture site.
Mechanism of radius fracture
The most common cause of a radius fracture is a direct impact, usually from a traffic accident or from using your hands to support yourself during a fall. A strong contraction of the triceps when the arm is extended can also cause a tear fracture of the radius.
For example, if you stick your elbow out of the window and get hit while driving, it may also cause a radius fracture.
Methods for diagnosing radius fractures
When diagnosing a radius fracture, your doctor will usually perform a skin examination to make sure there are no open fractures, and then perform a detailed neurological examination. Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the elbow are usually taken to evaluate the type and extent of the fracture. Indeed, a true lateral radiograph is critical in determining the fracture pattern.
Classification of radius fractures
There are many classifications of radius fractures, but the most famous ones include the Mayo classification and the AO classification. These classifications are usually subdivided according to the stability of the fracture, degree of displacement, etc.
For example, in the Mayo classification, Type I represents a non-displaced fracture, while Type III represents a displaced and unstable fracture.
Treatment of radius fracture
For undisplaced radius fractures, a cast with the elbow immobilized at 45 to 90 degrees is usually sufficient for 3 weeks. Most displaced fractures require surgical treatment.
Surgical method:
- Tension band fixation: This is the most common internal fixation method and is suitable for unfragmented fractures.
- Intramedullary nail placement and plate fixation: suitable for simple radius fractures.
- Excision and triceps advancement: This is appropriate in cases of complex fractures.
Epidemiology
Radial fractures are less common in children, accounting for only 5% to 7% of all elbow fractures. This is because children's bones are harder and stronger. In contrast, the incidence of this type of fracture is significantly increased in adults, which is related to the exposed position of the elbow.
Conclusion
The severe pain and fractures caused by this fall once again remind us that correct exercise posture and attention to surrounding safety are very important. Can we improve our awareness of accidental injury prevention in our daily lives?
