Aspiration of the Elbow Joint in the Treatment of Fractures of the Head of the Radius

Abstract

IN RECENT years there has been a revival of the principle of early active motion in the treatment of elbow fractures, first expounded by Jean Pierre David1 in 1779 and vigorously restated a century later by Lucas-Championniere.2 For fractures of the radial head in particular this concept appears to be well accepted. In general, these fractures fall into three groups: those in which the fragments are so comminuted or displaced as to require arthrotomy; those in which the fragments are displaced, motion is limited, and arthrotomy is contemplated; and those in which impaction and displacement are minimal. For the first . . .