Which of the following statements about radial head impairment is true?

• A. 0%
• B. 10%
• C. 15%
• D. 5%

Answer: (D)

The important idea is how impairment is quantified for an isolated radial head problem. When the radial head injury produces only minimal functional impact—tiny limitations in forearm rotation, mild pain, and little or no weakness—the impairment rating sits at the low end of the scale, typically around 5%. This reflects that the elbow’s function is mostly preserved despite the injury. Higher percentages would be reserved for more substantial deficits, such as a significant loss of motion, chronic instability, or post‑traumatic arthritis, which aren’t present in a mild, isolated radial head impairment. So 5% best matches the typical mild impairment scenario. If there were no impairment at all, it would be 0%, but the question implies some measurable impairment, making 5% the appropriate choice.