Table 2.
Outcomes (by group)
| Variable | Simple group (isolated radial head fractures) (n = 31) | Complex group (complex fracture patterns with radial head fractures) (n = 20) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| PREE (points)* | 8 (13) | 15 (20) | 0.13# |
| Major complications (%)† | 13 | 25 | 0.29** |
| Secondary capsular release (%)‡ | 3 | 20 | 0.07** |
| Prevalence of ulnotrochlear arthritis (%) | 13 | 25 | 0.29** |
| Prevalence of radiocapitellar arthritis (%)§ | 32 | 40 | 0.76** |
| Prevalence of any capitellar abnormality (%)∥ | 61 | 60 | 1.0** |
| Crepitus detected with motion (%)¶ | 29 | 47 | 0.23** |
* Values are expressed as mean, with SD in parentheses; †collapse with prominent hardware, disabling elbow stiffness (concomitant complex regional pain syndrome [n = 1; simple group], ulnar neuritis [n = 1; complex group]), or posterolateral joint subluxation requiring external fixation revision (n = 1; complex group); ‡one patient underwent concomitant ulnar nerve transposition; §at least mild joint space narrowing and mild osteophyte formation (Broberg-Morrey Grade 1 posttraumatic arthritis of the elbow) compared to radiographs of the contralateral elbow; ∥including subtle irregularity of the subchondral bone, osteopenia, or cysts not sufficient to warrant the diagnosis of mild radiographic arthritis (any joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation compared bilaterally); ¶crepitus noted in the radiocapitellar joint and/or the ulnohumeral joint; #unpaired t-test; **Fisher’s exact test; PREE = Patient-rated Elbow Evaluation.