48 patients, with intra-articular distal humeral fracture or fracture-dislocation of the elbow with proximal radius or ulna fracture, were randomized to receive a single fraction of low dose radiation (700 cGY) within 3 days of surgery or a control. The study aimed to determine the role of radiation in preventing heterotopic ossification. At the 6 month follow up, the study had to be terminated prior to the completion due to significantly high numbers of non-unions with the radiation treatment. Hence, the efficacy of radiation therapy in prevention against heterotopic ossification remained undetermined by this study.