Prospective Study of Communited Radial Head Fracture Treated with Radial Head Athroplastry

Abstract

Background: The radial head plays a crucial role in elbow stability, load transmission, and forearm rotation. Comminuted radial head fractures pose significant challenges due to their complex nature and potential for severe joint dysfunction. Traditional approaches, such as ORIF, have limitations, and radial head arthroplasty has emerged as a viable alternative. This procedure involves replacing the fractured radial head with a prosthetic implant, aiming to replicate native anatomy and biomechanics. Clinical studies have demonstrated promising outcomes in pain relief, range of motion, and stability. Our prospective study aims to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes of comminuted radial head fractures treated with radial head arthroplasty, providing insights into efficacy and limitations of this surgical approach. 

Materials and Methods- Prospective study at Department of Orthopaedics, SSSMCRI. Patients with comminuted radial head fractures treated with radial head arthroplasty (RHA) are included. Inclusion criteria: patients above 18 years. Study duration: 18 months. Sample size: 38, calculated using Open Epi software, with 65% proportion of RHA, 5% significance, and 16% absolute precision error, including 10% non-response rate.

Results-This prospective study evaluated 38 patients with comminuted radial head fractures treated with radial head arthroplasty. The majority (52.6%) were aged 31-50 years, with 57.9% males. Patients showed significant improvements in pain scores, range of motion, and functional outcomes. Complications were minimal, with 5.3% infection rate. Patient satisfaction was high, with 78.9% reporting being very satisfied. The study indicates radial head arthroplasty as a viable treatment option for comminuted radial head fractures. Significant improvements were observed across multiple outcome measures. 

Conclusion- Our study demonstrates that radial head arthroplasty effectively treats comminuted radial head fractures, improving pain reduction, range of motion, and elbow function. Surgical intervention resulted in favorable radiological outcomes, with proper joint alignment and healing. Despite minimal complications, patient satisfaction was high. These findings support radial head arthroplasty as a reliable approach for managing complex radial head fractures.