Seventeen patients who had a closed fracture of the radial head that was
not associated with a dislocation of the elbow or another injury were
evaluated eight to forty-six years after resection of the radial head. Few
patients complained of even mild, intermittent pain. The ranges of motion
of the wrist and elbow were nearly normal, but pronation and supination
were decreased by an average of 7 and 15 degrees, respectively. Cybex
testing showed losses of strength in pronation and supination of
approximately 5 and 11 per cent, respectively. The ulnar variance became
increasingly positive by an average of approximately two millimeters, and
cubitus valgus increased an average of 9 degrees. These excellent results
did not appear to deteriorate over time. In one patient a radio-ulnar
synostosis developed.