title: [Locking plate osteosynthesis of the radial head fractures : clinical and radiological results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapy of radial head fractures is still controversially discussed. Especially comminuted fractures are at risk of complications such as radial head necrosis, nonunion and secondary loss of reduction after open reduction and internal fixation. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) of radial head fractures using a new radial head-specific locking plate system.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 patients (13 men and 8 women) were treated with locking plate osteosynthesis of radial head fractures. Mean age was 50 years (range 29-67 years). According to the Mason classification, 15 were type III and 6 type IV. Mean time between trauma and surgery was 5.6 days (range 0-23 days). These patients were reexamined using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and x-rays in two planes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 21 patients were reexamined with a mean follow-up of 12.1 months (range 5-23 months). The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 87.1. Excellent results were obtained in 12 patients, good results in 6 patients, and fair results in 3 patients. Mean extension deficit was 12.1°, mean flexion 135.2°, mean pronation 70.9°, and mean supination 63.6°. All fractures healed uneventfully. There was no complete radial head necrosis but one partial. Four cases of heterotopic ossification were detected: Hastings classification I (n = 2), IIb (n = 1), IIIb (n = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ORIF of radial head fractures using locking plates can lead to good and excellent results. Modern implants may allow for reconstruction of comminuted fractures avoiding arthroplasty in these young patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland. klaus.j.burkhart@gmail.com.|Klinik für Schulterchirurgie, Rhön-Klinikum Bad Neustadt/Saale, Salzburger Leite 1, 97616, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Deutschland. klaus.j.burkhart@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gruszka
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Hand- und Fußchirurgie , Katholisches Klinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frohn
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wegmann
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rommens
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Hand- und Fußchirurgie , Katholisches Klinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Eicker
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D058569:Elbow Prosthesis; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Complications; Fracture fixation, internal; Instability; Open reduction and internal fixation; Radial head fracture