The radial head is the circular proximal end of the radius that articulates with the capitellum of the humerus and rotates within the radial notch of the ulna during forearm pronation and supination. It is the most commonly fractured bone in adult elbow injuries, typically from a fall on the outstretched hand that drives the radial head against the capitellum.
Mason classification of radial head fractures guides treatment: Type I (non-displaced) — conservative, Type II (displaced partial) — fixation if blocking rotation, Type III (comminuted) — arthroplasty rather than fixation, Type IV (with elbow dislocation) — arthroplasty or fixation plus ligament repair. The Essex-Lopresti lesion combines radial head fracture with interosseous membrane disruption and DRUJ dislocation — radial head arthroplasty rather than excision is mandatory to prevent longitudinal forearm instability and proximal radius migration.
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