[The treatment of the displaced fractures of the radial head with open reduction and internal fixation using Herbert screws].

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results following open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the radial head with the Herbert screws. 18 patients had been treated from 2001 to 2005, 10 men and 8 females with an average age of 39 years and 6 months (range, twenty to fifty six years). In 7 cases (38%) the fracture were part of a more complex elbow injury pattern; posterior dislocation of the elbow 4, posterior dislocation with rupture of the medial collateral ligament 1, posterior dislocation with concomitant fracture of the coronoid process and medial collateral ligament rupture 3.9 had Mason Type- II and 9 Mason Type III fracture. Stabilization was performed with one to three Herbert screws. Twenty patients were reexamined after a mean time 3 year and six months (range 1 to 5 years). According Mayo Elbow Performance Score the results were excellent in 9 patients, good in 2, and fair in 1 patient.