title: [Metallic modular radial head prostheses for Mason III and IV unreconstructable radial head fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the early efficacy of metallic modular radial head prostheses in patients with Mason III and IV unreconstructable radial head fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 16 patients (9 males, 7 females) with a mean age of 43 years old (31 to 57) with Mason III/IV unreconstructable radial head fractures requiring metallic modular radial head replacement between January 2009 and March 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. The functional results were assessed by range-of-movement, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). All patients underwent radiographic evaluation for radial head height and radiolucent lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients were evaluated with follow-up for 12 to 33 months with an average of 23 months. Range of movement parameters was significantly lower in the affected elbow than in the unaffected side (P < 0.01). MEPS results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. According to Grewal grading, there were 4 cases of periprosthetic lucencies of the radius and 1 case had significant clinical signs of loosening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radial head replacement with the metallic modular prostheses yields satisfactory results regarding range of motion and function of the elbow joint in short term. The evolution of this prostheses needs to be evaluated with further studies to assess mid-term and long-term follow-up results.
authors.affiliation: PLA Institute of Orthopedics, Beijing Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700, China.
authors.forename: Lian-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ji-Xin
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tian-Sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057929:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Elbow / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000601:surgery*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies