Relevancy of radiographic features in elbow fractures

To correlate radiographic and clinical findings of elbow fractures.

A retrospective study was made of 110 consecutive adult elbow fractures of various types involving the humerus, the ulna, and the radius.

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.

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.