Effective physiotherapeutic intervention in post-operative radial head excision: A case report

Abstract

Radial head fracture are very common in very young age population because of fall on out stretch hand,radial head excision in young adult is very rarely done due to stability and after removal of radial head, patient had findings like elbow stiffness ,pain & affect overall activity of daily living (ADLs). The most common complications are post traumatic arthritis and myositis ossificans has been seen in  supracondylar fracture or fracture around the elbow joint which involves radial head or olecranon bone.Rehabilitation of this type of cases are challenging needs holistic approach to get good outcome. There have been very few publications are seen on rehabilitation after removal of radial head. So to manage this condition the application of physical therapy which includes manual therapy & therapeutic exercises are helpful to reduced symptoms and to restore normal function. Therefore, the aim of this case report is to present the evaluation and treatment of a 17-year-old boy following a complicated radial head fracture. The rehabilitation conducted over a month and the benefits of joint specific manual therapy along with strength training with functional movement specific in the rehabilitation are highlighted. Post-operative radial head excision can be treated by physical therapy.