Fracture of the radial head
A radial head fracture is a break at the top end of the radius bone, located just below the outside of the elbow joint.
Fracture of the radial head overview
The radius is one of the two bones in your forearm, running from the elbow to the wrist. The 'radial head' is the knobby top part of this bone that enables your forearm to rotate and the elbow to bend smoothly. Radial head fractures are common, accounting for approximately 20% of all acute elbow injuries and occurring in about 10% of elbow dislocations. This type of fracture is most commonly caused by falling onto an outstretched hand with the arm straight and the elbow locked, transferring the force of impact directly up into the elbow joint. Even minor radial head fractures can lead to long-term stiffness, particularly when trying to fully straighten the arm, making prompt diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and early guided movement essential.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain localised on the outer side of the elbow
- Swelling and tenderness around the joint
- Bruising along the forearm or elbow
- Inability or difficulty in bending, straightening, or rotating the arm (turning the palm up or down)
How is a radial head fracture diagnosed?
Diagnosing a radial head fracture involves a clinical examination by your consultant to evaluate joint movement, pain location, and joint stability.
An X-ray is routinely performed to confirm the fracture and determine whether the bone fragments have moved out of position.
Are there any risks?
Complications can occur following a radial head fracture or its treatment. Potential risks include:
- Permanent loss of full elbow extension (difficulty straightening the arm completely)
- Reduced forearm rotation (pronation and supination)
- Persistent joint stiffness or pain
- Chronic elbow instability
- Nerve irritation or damage resulting in temporary or permanent numbness or weakness in the hand
- Infection or hardware complications requiring secondary surgery
- Post-traumatic arthritis in the elbow joint
Your specialist will discuss all potential risks with you in detail prior to treatment.
Treatment routes for a radial head fracture
If the bone fragments remain in their normal position, surgery is usually not required. The arm is placed in a splint or sling for a few days for comfort, followed quickly by gentle exercises to prevent elbow stiffness.
Recovery from a radial head fracture
Initial healing and gentle movement
Your arm will be supported in a sling or splint for comfort. Guided, non-weight-bearing exercises for your fingers, wrist, and elbow are usually started early to prevent long-term stiffness, while keeping dressings clean and dry if surgery was performed.
Restoring mobility
Stitches (if surgical) are typically removed around 10 to 14 days. Under physical therapy guidance, you will progress your range-of-motion exercises, focusing particularly on fully straightening the elbow and rotating the forearm.
Strengthening and functional return
As bone healing progresses, progressive resistance exercises are introduced to rebuild upper arm and forearm strength. Most everyday, non-manual activities can be resumed during this phase.
Advanced recovery
Focus shifts toward full functional rehabilitation, heavy lifting, and return to high-impact activities or sports, as advised by your specialist.
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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