Radial neck fracture nonunion: A case report and novel fixation technique

Abstract

Non-union of radial neck fractures is a rare entity in adults, and conservative treatment is usually applied. However, when the patient is symptomatic, an optimal functional outcome can only be obtained after operative treatment. There is currently no consensus on the best surgical technique to treat this condition. We present a 34-year-old male with a radial head non-union and our proposed technique of using a cylindrical bone autograft harvested from the iliac crest and fixation with headless compression screws. At 12 months follow-up, the patient was pain free and had comparable range of motion to the uninjured side. We recommend a useful technique for the treatment of radial neck fracture nonunion. The preliminary postoperative outcomes show excellent results, while a longer follow-up and a greater number of cases are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this technique.