Best Practice Case Studies-Case 124 Asset 2 Radial Head Fracture

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker, Lorann Putnam, an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy, explains treatment for radial head fractures. The main risk is elbow stiffness, so early therapy focuses on removing slings, restoring shoulder motion, and splinting the elbow in extension, especially at night. Patients do limited, pain-free flexion exercises several times a day to promote lubrication without losing extension. Because the biceps can pull the arm into flexion and pronation, maintaining extension early is crucial. Night splinting continues until full extension is stable. Later care includes flexion exercises, extensor strengthening, and scar management with heat, massage, vibration, and scraping.

Meta Tag

Edition 4th Edition

Related Case 4th Edition, Case 124

Topic Elbow

Keywords

4th Edition

4th Edition, Case 124

Elbow

radial head fracture

elbow stiffness

extension splinting

hand therapy

scar management