Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery
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J Shoulder Elbow Surg · Sep 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAspiration alone versus aspiration and bupivacaine injection in the treatment of undisplaced radial head fractures: a prospective randomized study.
Some physicians advocate that aspiration of elbow joint hematoma in radial head fractures is helpful not only for determining a mechanical block to motion from a fracture fragment but also for improving the elbow motion and pain. However, the supplementary role of intra-articular anaesthetic injection is unclear. ⋯ Intra-articular use of local anaesthetic after joint aspiration does not offer any benefit over aspiration alone in the treatment of undisplaced radial head fractures and its routine application is not supported by the clinical data.