Relevancy of radiographic features in elbow fractures

PURPOSE: To correlate radiographic and clinical findings of elbow fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of 110 consecutive adult elbow fractures of various types involving the humerus, the ulna, and the radius. RESULTS: Twenty-seven fractures with radiographically conspicuous distortions healed. Of these only 15 had clinical sequelae. Five had clinical sequelae without showing conspicuous radiographic distortions after healing. CONCLUSION: For radiographic evaluation and classification purposes, it would seem to be important to note the status of the capitellum, the capitellum-trochlear plane, and the combination of a distal humerus and a proximal ulna fracture. The outcome of common olecranon fractures and injuries to the radial head would seem to depend less on a detailed radiographic description.