[Intermediate-term treatment outcome after fractures of the proximal radius]

The treatment of fractures of the proximal radius is controversial. This retrospective elaborates on indications for operative or conservative treatment, dependent on fracture type. A new classification of fracture and a new evaluation score for follow-up examination are presented. The study shows very good results for conservative treatment of type A1-fractures without dislocation of fragments and good results for operative treatment of type A2-fractures. Type A3-fractures (multifragment fractures) demand reconstruction. If that is not possible, the primary resection of the radial head leads to better results than its secondary resection. The implantation of silastic prostheses of the radial head leads to worse results in primary (2 cases) and secondary resection (2 cases) than resection of radial head alone.