Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Delayed Diagnosis of Proximal Radial Head Fracture with Nonunion: A casereport

Authors

YI-Chen Lin
Ta-Sen Wei

Translated Title

體外震波使用於延誤診斷之未癒合近端橈骨頭骨折：個案研究報告

Abstract

Fracture of the proximal radial head is the most common elbow fracture. However, a non-displaced proximal radial head fracture may be overlooked on plain radiographs. This casereport describes a 52-year-old female patient who sustained a right elbow injury after a traffic accident, with delayed diagnosis of radial head fractures and subsequent nonunion. After 10 sessions of focal extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), the pain and range of motion improved and a sequential x-ray revealed smooth cortical bone and increased density of the proximal radial head. This report reveals that (1) non-displaced proximal radial head fractures can be overlooked on plain radiographs, (2) musculoskeletal ultrasound should be performed if symptoms persist, and (3) ESWT appeared to result in excellent bone healing in a nonunion fracture.

Language

English

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.6315/TJPMR.202106_49(1).0010

First Page

113

Last Page

117

Recommended Citation

Lin, YI-Chen and Wei, Ta-Sen (2021) "Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Delayed Diagnosis of Proximal Radial Head Fracture with Nonunion: A casereport," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 49: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/TJPMR.202106_49(1).0010
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol49/iss1/10