Abstract

Introduction: Comminuted radial head fractures represents one of the troublesome and unpredictable complications which leads to upper limb disability that orthopaedic surgeons face. The two current methods of managing comminuted radial head fracture are excision of the radial head and radial head prosthesis in this study⁴.

Aim: To assess the early associated complications in radial head excision and radial head prosthesis.

Material & Methodology: The study comprised of 20 patients with unstable elbow injuries, out of 20 cases, 3 cases treated with radial head prosthesis and 4 cases treated with radial head excision .study period was from september 2016 to October 2017 at Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Chidambaram.

Results: There were 7 cases with comminuted radial head fractures. The mean duration of immobilisation was 25.5 (range, 17-38) days. After physical therapy, the mean range of motion of the elbow improved to 130⁰ flexion (24% recovery), 18⁰ extension (35% recovery), 73⁰ supination (142% recovery), and 85⁰ pronation (25% recovery). The greatest gain in range of motion occurred within 3 to 4 months.

Complications: included wrist pain, proximal migration of radius, heterotopic ossification, restricted rotational motion, degenerative articular changes, radioulnar synostosis in radial head excision. Implant deformation, implant loosening, synovitis, degenerative changes.

Conclusion: Every fracture pattern needs to be managed differently which will give enough stability to start early mobilisation .total radial head excision patients have higher complication rate.

Keywords: Comminuted radial head fractures, outcome, radial head excision and radial head prosthesis.