Neck & Shoulder

What It Is

Fractures of the proximal (upper) radius affect the radial head or neck, the upper part of the radius that forms part of the elbow joint (AAOS, n.d.; Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.). These fractures usually happen from falling onto an outstretched hand (AAOS, n.d.). Other bones in the elbow joint, or the surrounding soft tissues such as ligaments, may be damaged at the same time (AAOS, n.d.).

These fractures can either be displaced (the broken pieces have moved out of position) or non-displaced (AAOS, n.d.). Many elbow dislocations also involve fractures of the radial head (AAOS, n.d.).

Radius (Proximal) Fracture Anatomy

The radius is one of the two long bones in the forearm (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.). The other is the ulna, which is the larger bone near the elbow and forms the bottom part of the elbow joint. The radius is on the thumb side. The top of the radius is called the proximal radius, and its bulb-shaped end at the elbow is known as the "radial head" (AAOS, n.d.). The lower part of the radius is known as the distal radius and joins the wrist. There are lots of nerves, muscles and tendons around the wrist, forearm and elbow.

How to Treat a Radius (Proximal) Fracture:

1. Go to Hospital

If you have had a bad fall and have severe pain, swelling or difficulty moving your forearm, elbow or wrist, go to hospital. You need an X-ray to check for a fracture (NHS, 2026).
Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if your arm or hand is numb, tingling or has pins and needles, a bone is sticking out of the skin, you have a cut that is bleeding heavily, or your arm has changed colour, shape or is at an odd angle (NHS, 2026).
If you have a fracture, your fracture team will decide on the best treatment. Small, non-displaced fractures are usually treated in a sling for a short time, followed by early movement of the elbow (AAOS, n.d.; Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.). Larger fractures may need an operation to fix or remove the broken pieces (AAOS, n.d.). Always follow your fracture team's own instructions.

2. Physiotherapy

Elbows stiffen easily, so regaining movement early is important to prevent long-term stiffness, and movement exercises such as bending and straightening the elbow and turning the palm up and down are part of recovery (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.). I can help you get that movement back and rebuild your strength, with hands-on work and an exercise programme tailored to your injury. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Once your fracture team says it is safe, physiotherapy can help to reduce pain and restore movement and function to the elbow. Lifting should be built up gradually as your movement improves and your pain reduces (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

Tips

Falling onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause of this injury (AAOS, n.d.).
Whenever playing sports, always use proper sporting equipment to protect your body from potential injury.
If you hit your elbow and then feel pain whenever you try to move the elbow, you need to have it checked for an injury.
Limited movement, swelling and severe pain in the area are signs that there might be a broken bone in the joint. Get to hospital and get an X-ray done (NHS, 2026).
If you play a sport, build up sport-specific activities gradually and do not return to full training until you have full strength and movement (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, n.d.).

Treatment

My Approach

A fracture at the top of the radius affects the elbow, which stiffens easily, so getting it moving at the right time matters. Your fracture team decides on a sling or surgery and when you can move and load the arm, and I follow their plan. If you had surgery, or the fracture stops you doing your normal daily tasks, I need your team's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

Acute: New

While the elbow is protected: support for the rest of you.

Easing the neck, upper back and shoulder muscles that work overtime while you protect the arm
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling in the forearm and hand
Going over the elbow, forearm and wrist movements your team allows, with gentle holds and gripping

Subacute: Healing

Once your team says it's safe: movement, then strength.

Soft tissue massage around the elbow and forearm to ease pain and tension, and scar work once it has healed if you had surgery
Bending, straightening and turning the palm, with gentle, low-velocity joint mobilisation and stretching once the bone has healed, never forced
Strength and grip work, with lifting built up gradually as movement improves, then gym-based work or a graded return to sport

I don't use heat over metal implants. For new numbness or tingling in your hand, or pain or swelling that keeps getting worse, contact your doctor.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Usually visits start once or twice a week, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then spacing out. These fractures usually heal in around 6 to 12 weeks, and movement and strength often keep improving for six months to a year, following your fracture team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Early Elbow Movement

Soft Tissue Release

Graded Strength

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (n.d.) Radial head fractures of the elbow. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/radial-head-fractures-of-the-elbow/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (n.d.) Radial head or neck fracture – including occult elbow fractures. Available at: https://hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/radial-head-or-neck-fracture-advice-regarding-healing-and-recovery (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2026) Broken arm or wrist. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-arm-or-wrist/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooRadius (Proximal) Fracture

What It Is

Radius (Proximal) Fracture Anatomy

1. Go to Hospital

2. Physiotherapy

Self-Care & Treatment

Tips

My Approach

Acute: New

Subacute: Healing

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooRadius (Proximal) Fracture

What It Is

Radius (Proximal) Fracture Anatomy

1. Go to Hospital

2. Physiotherapy

Self-Care & Treatment

Tips

My Approach

Acute: New

Subacute: Healing

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Acromioclavicular Joint Separation

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

Burners and Stingers

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