Aspiration Alone vs. Aspiration and Bupivacaine Injection and the Treatment of Undisplaced Radial Head Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Study

Author(s): Chalidis BE, Papadopoulos PP, Sachinis NC and Dimitriou CG

Source: J Shoulder Elbow Surg 18(5): 676-79, 2009.

Summary:

This is a prospective randomized trial of 40 patients with nondisplaced radial head fractures.  Twenty were treated with aspiration alone and 20 were treated with aspiration plus intraarticular injection of 3 milliliters of bupivacaine.  The results demonstrated no difference in terms of range of motion, pain and elbow function between the two groups in all time points.  The authors conclude that intraarticular use of local anesthetic after joint aspiration does not offer any benefit over aspiration alone in the management of undisplaced radial head fractures.  Thus, its routine application is not supported by clinical data.