Screw Fixation Of Mason Type â…¡ Radial Head Fractures: Compression Screw Versus Lag Screw

Objectives: To analyze the clinical effect of the Mason typeⅡ radial headfractures fixed with3.0mm headless compression screw or2.0mm corticalscrew, and provide data for the clinical treatment.Methods：A retrospective analysis of19patients with Mason type Ⅱradial head fractures was done. There were9cases fixed with HCS and10with COS. Elbow function was assessed adopting Broberg and Monrrey elbowscore.Results: Follow-up assessment was carried out0.5to5years after injury(average2.3years). Using the B-M assessment,16of the19patients hadexcellent functional results. Three patients scored80-90points and wereclassified as good due to moderate levels of pain with activity. No patientsreported wrist pain. All19patients were noted to have some mild loss of elbowextension. The elbow performance score of COS group was no significantlybetter than that of HCS group.Conclusion: With the3.0mm HCS, similar clinical effect can be achievedas with2.0mm COS used as lag screws while causing less damage due to themissing screw head. Therefore it may be an important advantage in a clinicalset up with small fragments that are not amenable for the lag screw techniqueanymore or fracture patterns that require screw placement outside the safe zone.