title: Vitallium radial head prosthesis for acute and chronic elbow fractures and fracture-dislocations involving the radial head.
abstract: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the radiographic, functional, and patient-derived outcomes of 16 patients who each received a Vitallium radial head prosthesis for unreconstructable acute fractures of the radial head, as well as previously treated fractures of the radial head associated with residual instability, pain, and stiffness. Follow-up averaged 33 months. A trend toward greater disability and poorer motion was noted in the delayed treatment group compared with the acute replacement group. Overall, the results were excellent in 5 patients, good in 10, and poor in 1, as determined by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. All elbows were stable at follow-up, and no patient reported wrist pain. Four required further operative treatment of their elbow injuries. Metallic radial head arthroplasty yields satisfactory results in acute unreconstructable radial head fractures or as a salvage procedure for previously treated radial head fractures.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Training Center, New York Orthopaedic Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Cary B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Stefano M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sinicropi
authors.forename: Roderick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Strauch
authors.forename: Melvin P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rosenwasser
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D014800:Vitallium
chemical_list: D014800:Vitallium