Surgery to line up the fracture and hold it with screws

Your doctor can do surgery to improve the position of the fractured bone. Screws are used to hold the new position. Surgery is usually done within one or two weeks of injury.

Figure: Surgery with a screws

Advantages:

• The fracture may be less likely to interfere with rotation of your forearm or snap or crackle when you rotate.

Disadvantages:

• The risks, discomforts, and inconveniences of surgery and anesthesia.
• A scar
• The screws can cause problems and might need to be removed.
• You need to be a little more careful with your arm in the first few weeks after surgery to protect the screws.
• Complications: in most cases surgery of the radial head occurs without problems. However, every surgical procedure is associated with risks.^{5, 9, 10, 11}

About 9 out of a 100 people have a minor problem after surgery. This includes a wound infection that can be treated by pills, hemorrhage and nerve damage resulting in temporary or lasting skin numbness.

About 5 out of a 100 people have a major problem after surgery. Major problems include deeper infection and problems with the screws. This often requires second surgery.<