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 case report 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.
橈骨頭骨折是手肘骨折裡面最常見的,占了所有手肘骨折的三分之一。然而,位於此處未移位的骨折在X光下很容易被遺漏,早期超音波介入診斷可以更精確的診斷出骨折。本次案例為一位52歲的女性,因車禍傷到右手肘,於急診照的X光並未看出骨折。三個月後因疼痛及活動角度受限,患者來到復健科門診,超音波及X光檢查診斷出橈骨頭骨折合併骨折處不癒合。後續患者於門診接受十次的聚焦式震波治療,並於後續的X光可看到皮質骨癒合及骨密度增加。本個案研究結論:(1)未移位的骨折在X光之下容易被遺漏,早期的超音波檢查可協助早期診斷。(2)震波治療對於骨折未癒合的病人治療效果是非常好的。