Minneapolis Radial Head Fracture Lawyer

A radial head fracture is the most common type of broken elbow. Radial head fractures can occur in:

• car accidents
• truck accidents
• slip and fall accidents
• collision sports

Although radial head fractures are common, they are not necessarily routine. They are traumatic injuries that require expert treatment to prevent disability from stiffness, nerve damage, deformity, post-traumatic arthritis, and other possible complications.

If you have sustained a radial head fracture due to negligence, you need legal representation to maximize your compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Terry, Slane & Ruohonen have extensive medical knowledge and years of experience handling radial head fracture cases. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

Types of Radial Head Fractures

Radial head fractures are classified according to the amount of displacement. The three types of radial head fractures are:

• Type 1 — These fractures are minute cracks in the radial head. The bone fragments remain in place. They are difficult to see on x-rays until about 3 weeks after the injury. These fractures are treated with a splint or sling. If arm motion is attempted too soon, the bones may become displaced.
• Type 2 — These fractures involve larger pieces of bone, and the fragments may be out of alignment. If the displacement is minimal, splinting is an option. Surgery may be necessary to remove small fragments or to stabilize the bone.
• Type 3 — This is the most severe fracture with the radial head in many pieces and the pieces may not fit together. A type 3 fracture usually includes extensive damage to the joint and soft tissue. During surgery the fracture will be cleaned of all bone fragments, the radial head will be secured or replaced with an artificial head, and the soft tissue injuries be repaired. Early motion is required to alleviate stiffness.

Complications with Radial Head Fractures

There is very little soft tissue around the elbow which limits the blood supply to the elbow. If a fractured fragment loses its blood supply, it can result in avascular necrosis (bone death) or nonunion (permanent failure to heal). Additional complications include:

• deformity
• stiffness
• loss of range of motion
• arthritis
• ulnar nerve damage

Minneapolis Radial Head Fracture Lawyer

Terry, Slane & Ruohonen is a premier personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota. We have a reputation for getting the job done. Let us fight for justice in your case. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.