Radial head fracture - Fat pads - Lateral

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Radial head fracture - Fat pads - Lateral

  • This is the commonest elbow fracture in adults
  • The fracture line is not visible on the lateral view in this case
  • The effusion - indicated by raised fat pads - is the only visible sign of injury and in the context of trauma should be taken to indicate an undisplaced intra-capsular fracture
  • (Same patient as image below)

Radial head fracture - AP

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Radial head fracture - AP

  • (Same patient as image above)
  • The AP view shows a fracture line which extends to the articular surface of the radial head

Radial head fracture - Subtle - Lateral view

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Radial head fracture - Subtle - Lateral view

  • Abnormality of bone associated with elbow fractures can be very subtle
  • Here the effusion is easily recognised. This should prompt a hunt for a fracture
  • There is subtle buckling of the radial head cortex anteriorly
  • (Same patient as image below)

Radial head fracture - Subtle - AP view

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Radial head fracture - Subtle - AP view

  • (Same patient as image above)
  • The subtle buckling of the radial head cortex is seen again on the AP view

Page author: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust UK (Read bio)

Last reviewed: November 2018