Roger P. van Riet

Capitellar erosion caused by a metal radial head prosthesis. A case report.

The long-term results of resection of the radial head for the treatment of a simple radial head fracture have been generally satisfactory1-5. However, some late complications, such as proximal migration of the radius, can disable the patient and are difficult to treat. Proximal migration of the radius is usually asymptomatic3-5, although wrist pain develops in a minority of patients3-8. The options for treatment are limited, and clinical studies have shown poor and unreliable results9,10. Sowa et al. described a case in which a silicone radial head prosthesis was implanted for the treatment of wrist symptoms10. Proximal migration of the radius progressed, and it was concluded that a more rigid implant would be necessary. Sellman et al. reached a similar conclusion after performing a biomechanical study of this problem11. We report the case of a patient who had early progressive erosion of the capitellum after the insertion of a metal radial head prosthesis for the treatment of wrist pain following radial head resection after trauma. This complication has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. Our patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for …

Documentation of Associated Injuries Occurring With Radial Head Fracture

We believe a better way is needed to accurately describe the spectrum of associated injuries that commonly occur in conjunction with a radial head fracture. A review of our institution’s experience with 333 radial head fractures from 1997 to 2002 documented 88 (26%) associated injuries. Based on this clinical experience, our goal was to develop an accurate and comprehensive description of associated injuries. A shorthand suffix method first recognizes the type of radial head fracture with the traditional Mason classification, followed by abbreviations designating the articular injuries, coronoid (c) and olecranon (o), and the ligamentous injuries, lateral collateral ligament (l), medial collateral ligament (m), and distal radioulnar joint (d). The proposed system offers a logical and reproducible (98%) extension of the current Mason fracture classification to document the presence of additional articular and ligamentous injuries. This provides an opportunity to standardize the communication of fracture type with further details of other injuries that ultimately can help with better understanding of treatment outcome based on the precise injury complex.

The noncircular shape of the radial head

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to define the shape of the radial head by identifying the relationship between precisely defined axes of the radial head. METHODS An anatomic study was done to define the shape of the radial head and specifically the relationship between the long and the short axis. Twenty-seven cadaveric upper extremities were used. The x and y axes of the radial head were defined in relationship to the radial notch of the ulna, with the forearm in neutral position. Outer diameters of the x and y axis were measured. These were compared with the actual maximum and minimum diameters of the radial head. X and y diameters of the articulating surface of the radial head also were measured. RESULTS Paired 1-tailed Students t-tests were used to compare the x and y diameters of the radial head. Regression analysis of x and y diameters of the radial head was done to identify a correlation between these parameters.Paired 1-tailed Students t-tests showed a significant difference between X and Y diameters of the radial head. Regression analysis of x and y diameters of the radial head showed a strong correlation between these 2 axes. CONCLUSIONS The radial head is not round. A strong correlation exists between the x and y diameters of the radial head. The orientation of the long axis is perpendicular to the radial notch with the forearm in neutral rotation. This finding will make it possible to approach the anatomy of the radial head more closely when designing radial head prostheses. The definition of the axes can be used as a guide when implanting the radial head prosthesis.

The incidence of associated fractures of the upper limb in fractures of the radial head

Radial head fractures are common injuries. In American publications, one-third of the patients with these fractures have been shown to have associated injuries. The aim of this retrospective study is to describe the epidemiology of radial head fractures and associated fractures of the ipsilateral upper extremity in a European population. This study describes the epidemiology of radial head and associated fractures of the upper extremity in a Dutch population by a retrospective radiographic review of all patients with a radial head fracture between 1 January 2006 and 1 July 2007. A total of 147 radial head fractures were diagnosed in 145 patients. The incidence in the general population was 2.5 per 10.000 per year. The average age was 45.9 (SD 17.3) years and male–female ratio was 2:3. The mean age of males was significantly lower (37.1, SD 14.2 years) than of women (53.9, SD 16.4 years). Associated fracture of the upper extremity was found in 10.2%. Coronoid fractures were most common (4.1%). Associated upper limb fractures in patients with a radial head fracture are common in the European population. It is of clinical importance to suspect associated lesions and to perform a thorough physical examination and additional radiological examination on demand.

Delayed treatment of elbow pain and dysfunction following Essex-Lopresti injury with metallic radial head replacement: A case series

BACKGROUND Chronic longitudinal radioulnar dissociation has been associated with unpredictable and generally unfavorable outcomes. Metallic radial head replacement may address this treatment deficiency. METHODS Eight patients were treated with a metallic radial head replacement for chronic longitudinal radioulnar dissociation. The average treatment delay was 3.3 years. All eight patients were seen for a clinical and radiographic assessment. RESULTS Five of the 8 failed after a mean of 3 years (range, 1-5.7). Revision to bipolar metallic radial head replacement was successful in the short term in 2 of 3 that failed from aseptic loosening. One of 2 failures due to painful radiocapitellar arthritis was salvaged with a capitellar replacement. DISCUSSION Reconstruction for symptoms following an Essex-Lopresti injury remains problematic. A metallic radial head implant appears to be an effective adjunct, but not a perfect solution in all patients. Recognition of the negative impact of residual lateral ulnar collateral ligament laxity is an important observation and should be specifically addressed with the reconstructive procedure. CONCLUSION Metallic monoblock radial head replacement did not reliably address the functional deficiency from chronic radioulnar dissociation primarily due to malalignment and implant loosening. A cemented bipolar radial head implant may provide a better alternative as a long-term solution. Regardless, ligamentous integrity at the elbow should also be addressed at the time of the reconstruction.

Incidence of Scaphotrapezial Arthritis Following Volar Percutaneous Fixation of Nondisplaced Scaphoid Waist Fractures Using a Transtrapezial Approach

PURPOSE To investigate whether volar percutaneous screw fixation of scaphoid waist fractures via a transtrapezial approach causes degenerative changes at the scaphotrapezial (ST) joint at short- to medium-term follow-up. METHODS A total of 34 patients were available for follow-up at a mean of 6.1 years (minimum follow-up, 3.7 y) after volar percutaneous fixation of acute scaphoid waist fractures via a transtrapezial approach. The clinical follow-up examination included assessment of pain using a visual analog scale, range of motion, grip strength, and key pinch strength. We obtained radiographs of both hands in 3 views. We staged degenerative changes at the ST joint according to the modified Eaton and Glickel classification. RESULTS The modified Mayo wrist score showed excellent clinical results using the described technique. One patient showed asymptomatic unilateral stage 2 osteoarthritic changes at the ST joint. We noted 6 screw protrusions, which required screw removal in 2 patients, in the early stages of use of the transtrapezial technique. One patient was treated surgically for a bone cyst. CONCLUSIONS Volar percutaneous screw fixation of nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures using a transtrapezial approach does not lead to symptomatic scaphotrapezial osteoarthritis at short- to medium-term follow-up. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.

Triceps tendon properties and its potential as an autograft

BACKGROUND Although the triceps tendon has been used as a graft for ligament reconstruction about the elbow, and has been postulated to be useful as a graft in the treatment of massive rotator cuff tears, no data exists on the tensile properties of the triceps tendon. The purpose of this study was to define the tensile properties of the medial, lateral, and central thirds of the triceps tendon, in order to examine its potential as an autograft for upper extremity pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten fresh frozen upper extremity specimens were used. The triceps tendon was dissected from its musculotendinous junction and left attached to its insertion at the olecranon. The tendon was split into thirds and its tensile properties were recorded using a materials testing machine. RESULTS The lateral portion was significantly thinner and less stiff than the medial and central portions (P < .05). It failed at significantly lower ultimate load than the central portion (P < .05). There were no significant differences between the medial, central, and lateral portions of the triceps tendons with regards to ultimate stress (P = .20) or modulus of elasticity (P = .64). CONCLUSION Data from the current study were compared to available literature regarding tensile properties of the rotator cuff and elbow ligaments. Both the medial and central portions of the triceps tendon offer sufficient strength to be used in the reconstruction of the rotator cuff or ligament reconstruction in the elbow.

In-vivo kinematic analysis of forearm rotation using helical axis analysis.

BACKGROUND Controversy still exists regarding the location and nature (static or dynamic) of the forearm joint axis. This might be due to inconsistent results from in-vitro data and less precise methods of analysis. We present the first in-vivo kinematic analysis of normal forearm joint rotation described by helical axis analysis. METHODS Data obtained from computed tomography images of both forearms of five healthy volunteers was used to calculate finite helical axis parameters from transformation matrices. Four positions were analyzed: maximum pronation, maximum supination, 60 degrees pronation, and 60 degrees supination. Kinematic analysis focused on the motion of the radius around the ulna. FINDINGS The forearm axis as defined by finite helical axis extended from the radial head between its kinematic center and the proximal radioulnar joint, to the dorsal region of the ulnar head at the distal radioulnar joint. The axis was found to be variable. INTERPRETATIONS Helical axis analysis has precisely defined the nature and location of the forearm axis. This new information of forearm kinematics defined by finite helical analysis, may be useful in implant design, and in guiding surgeons in their reconstruction of instabilities of the distal and proximal radioulnar joint.

Delayed valgus instability and proximal migration of the radius after radial head prosthesis failure

Radial head resection has yielded excellent long-term results in isolated radial head fractures. Most comminuted radial head fractures are complicated by associated lesions, however, and acute radial head replacement is often indicated in these patients. Metal radial head prostheses have become the standard treatment of irreparable radial head fractures with associated lesions to the elbow or forearm that render the elbow or forearm unstable. The prosthesis has been postulated to act as a temporary spacer while the injured soft tissues heal. Subsequent removal of the prosthesis to decrease pain and increase mobility yielded good to excellent results in previously reported cases. However, we present a patient whose in whom the soft tissues did not heal over a prolonged period, leading to a poor result after removal of a radial head implant.

Influence of Forearm Rotation on Proximal Radioulnar Joint Congruency and Translational Motion Using Computed Tomography and Computer-Aided Design Technologies

PURPOSE The contact areas of the articular surfaces in the proximal radioulnar joint (PRUJ) change, depending on the rotational position of the forearm. We investigated the in vivo congruency index of the PRUJ and translational motion of the radial head relative to the lesser sigmoid notch with forearm rotation. METHODS Computed tomography scans of 12 healthy adult elbows were obtained in 3 forearm positions: full supination, neutral, and full pronation. The translation of the center of the radial head at the level of the PRUJ was measured using computer techniques, and a computer-aided design (CAD) program was used for analysis of the congruency index. The radius of the radial head and lesser sigmoid notch, as well as the distance between the radial head and lesser sigmoid notch, were used as parameters of the congruency index. RESULTS The mean translation of the radial head was 1.17 mm. The mean ratio of the radius of the radial head to the lesser sigmoid notch was 0.83:1 in neutral position, 0.77:1 in pronation, and 0.92:1 in supination. In supination, the ratio of the radius was more congruent than in neutral and pronation. The mean ratio of the distance between the radial head and the lesser sigmoid notch was 0.15:1 in neutral position, 0.11:1 in pronation, and 0.10:1 in supination. In neutral position, the distance was significantly greater than those in the pronation and supination. CONCLUSIONS In supination, the PRUJ was the most congruent, and the distance between the radial head and the lesser sigmoid notch was minimal (0.10:1). Our findings confirmed the changes of PRUJ congruency during forearm rotation, and this implies changes of intrinsic osseous stability of the PRUJ during forearm rotation.