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Radial head replacement with pyrocarbon prosthesis: early clinical results
Author(s) -
Abdulla Irfan N.,
Molony Diarmuid C.,
Symes Michael,
Cass Benjamin
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.12908
Subject(s) - medicine , periprosthetic , radial head , prosthesis , arthroplasty , osteoarthritis , radiography , heterotopic ossification , grip strength , radial head fracture , surgery , internal fixation , nuclear medicine , elbow , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Comminuted radial head fractures are challenging to treat with open reduction and internal fixation. Radial head arthroplasty is a favourable technique for the treatment of complex radial head fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of radial head arthroplasty using modular pyrocarbon radial head prosthesis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 21 consecutive patients requiring radial head arthroplasty for unreconstructible radial head fractures between J uly 2003 and J uly 2009. Patients completed a Short Form‐36 ( SF ‐36), the D isabilities of the A rm, S houlder and H and questionnaire, and the M ayo E lbow P erformance I ndex. Patients were independently physically examined and their post‐operative radiographs were reviewed. Results Twenty‐one patients (nine males and 12 females) were reviewed at a minimum of 12 months follow‐up. The mean D isabilities of the A rm, S houlder and H and score was 10.8 (0–34.1), mean SF ‐36 physical score was 76.9 (35–96), mean SF ‐36 mental score was 83.8 (60–94), and their M ayo E lbow P erformance I ndex score was 86.4 (70–100). Patients maintained 90% of their grip strength when compared with their uninjured arm and had 17.5° of fixed flexion in the affected arm. Radiologically, 14 cases had some degree of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis, 12 cases had evidence of heterotrophic ossification, five had some evidence of periprosthetic lucency and three patients were radiologically, but not functionally ‘overstuffed’. Conclusion Radial head arthroplasty with pyrocarbon radial head prosthesis is an acceptable option when treating unreconstructable radial head fractures yielding good functional and radiological outcomes.