EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF RADIAL HEAD FRACTURES: A TWELVE-YEAR ANALYSIS FROM A TERTIARY TRAUMA CENTER
Abstract
Radial head fractures represent approximately 33% of all elbow fractures, displaying a bimodal incidence pattern predominantly affecting younger males through high-energy impacts and older females due to low-energy trauma. Classified by the Mason system, these fractures range from minor displacements to complex, comminuted fractures that often require surgical management. Materials and methods: This retrospective and prospective study included 311 patients with radial head fractures admitted between 2011 and 2023 to the Department of Orthopedics-Traumatology at “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi We collected data encompassed demographic information, fracture classification, associated injuries and aimed to identify demographic patterns and risk factors associated with radial head fractures. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The study confirmed a bimodal distribution in fracture incidence, with Mason III and Mason IV types being most common. Gender analysis showed that males were four times more likely to have the terrible triad fracture pattern compared to females (OR = 4.00; 95% CI: 1.09-14.6; p = 0.025). Age-related analysis indicated that olecranon-associated fractures were 1.69 times more common in patients aged 45 and above (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.36-2.10; p = 0.001), whereas younger patients were more prone to the terrible triad, though statistical significance was marginal (p = 0.085). Conclusions: Radial head fractures exhibit distinct demographic patterns, with age and gender influencing fracture type distribution. These insights underline the importance of targeted diagnostic and management strategies, particularly for high-risk fracture patterns, to improve patient outcomes in radial head fractures.
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