Which symptom is most commonly associated with a radial head fracture in children?

A radial head fracture in children typically presents with proximal forearm pain. This is due to the anatomical location of the injury, as the radial head is situated just below the elbow joint. When a child sustains this type of fracture—often from a fall onto an outstretched hand or direct trauma—discomfort and pain are usually felt in the proximal forearm region where the radial head is located.

In this context, the other symptoms listed can sometimes be present, but they are less specific to a radial head fracture. Inability to move the elbow may occur as a result of pain, but it is not the most reliable symptom for this type of injury. Swelling at the wrist is often not directly related to a fracture of the radial head and may relate to other injuries or conditions. Lastly, localized tenderness at the shoulder is typically associated with shoulder injuries rather than a fracture at the radial head. Thus, the presence of proximal forearm pain is the most commonly associated symptom with this specific type of fracture in children.