Loss of the radial head is ____% absolute

• A. 3%
• B. 5%
• C. 10%
• D. 15%

Answer: (B)

The important idea is that the radial head contributes to elbow stability and load transmission, so even a small amount of loss can alter mechanics. In SIP-style questions, a small absolute loss is used as the threshold for when stability begins to be affected. About 5% loss of the radial head is the figure commonly cited as the point at which biomechanics start to change in a clinically meaningful way. That’s why 5% is the best choice.

Smaller losses (e.g., 3%) are less likely to be clinically significant on their own, while larger losses (10% or 15%) would imply a greater degree of compromise than this standard threshold typically reflects in exam contexts.